A Word from THE WORD

Good Morning Happy Church,

Today is Thursday, April 28^th, 2016. Today is the 119^th Day of 2016.

There are only 247 days left in this year; and, there are only 9 days left until Mother’s Day!

THE HARDEST LESSON ABOUT JOB’S SUFFERING

Job 1:1

¹ “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.

Here is the hardest, and maybe the most profound lesson from the Book and life of Job:

Job deserved the suffering he endured.

Yes, I did just read verse 1. I am fully aware of what God has said about Job; and, of course everything God says is true.

Job was a wonderful example of a God-fearing and God-honoring man. But, let us not forget that Job was a sinner.

Romans 3:10, 23
¹⁰ “as it is written: “None is righteous, no, not one;
²³ for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”

A wise Christian once said, “it is well for us to remember that the best of men are just men at best.”

God allowed this horrific suffering to come upon Job. God did not author it; but, HE did allow it.

Since God is perfectly just, (Romans 9:14) it is not possible for HIM to act in any unjust way. HIS actions in allowing this suffering to come upon Job are not unjust.

REMEMBER: If Job (and all of the rest of us) received what he “deserved” from God, he would be in hell right now.

I know this is not the most encouraging thing you will think about today; but, whatever we may be suffering is not 1% of what we deserve to receive from the hand of a holy God.

HERE is the most encouraging thing you will think about today… God is a merciful God. HE will not deal with us according to our sins, but, according to the real righteousness of Jesus Christ that has been accounted to us. (2^nd Corinthians 5:21)

In spite of the fierceness of our suffering and sorrow, we can never say that God is unjust in allowing this to come our way.

HE is never unjust.

Let me close today with the words of a miserable and undeserving sinner who squandered a zillion blessings of God…

“This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.”

(Lamentations 3:21-23)

God spared Job in spite of Job’s sins. HE spares us the very same way.

We have much more to learn from Job about suffering and how to minister to those who are suffering. Hopefully, we will learn what God is showing us.

REMEMBER… This coming LORD’s Day (as the LORD allows) will be AWANA CELEBRATION SUNDAY

We will have a Hamburger and Hot Dog Lunch after Church with the Kids and their Families. I hope you will stay for lunch and get to know some of the families who do not attend Church.

Carpe Diem!