Worship

Scripture

When we look around the world, we see war, mass shootings, pain, evil, and suffering. We see a lot of bad things living in a creation that was deemed very good when it all started. No doubt as a result of the fall, we still question how it is possible for a good God who is in control and all-powerful to allow such things. We look at our suffering, due to loss, heartbreak, physical pain, trauma, etc. and we wonder if there will come a day when complete healing will come. At least I wonder about all of these things regularly. 

When we think of suffering, it’s normal to think of the story of Job. We read of all his hardships, one after the other, and we can only imagine what it would be like to endure such troubling experiences. In the story we read today, we are introduced to all of these hardships. As we read, we question what is going on as the enemy wants to attack and destroy Job. Understandably, Job goes on to curse his experience in this world. To the point of wishing he would not have been born. From the mouth of Job’s wife, we are presented with the enemy’s goal for all this suffering, “Curse God and die.” Yet Job does not. In fact, in all the suffering Job endured, there is a particular attitude that remains steadfast. “Job does not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job 1:22

The truth is, above all our questions about good and evil and who’s responsible, one thing stands true above all else: God is a good God. God does not produce evil, nor is he to be charged with wrongdoing. The suffering in the world and our lives is caused by the enemy and our lack of obedience. God, in turn, works in all things for good. God gives suffering a purpose. He redeems the evil, the suffering, and the pain, at the very least, in identification with His suffering on the cross. That when we suffer, we might remember that our God, the God of the entire universe suffers with us. That we are not alone. That we have a High Priest who identifies with us. 

1 Peter 5:10 “And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” 

Prayer

HONOR GOD

Psalm 121:8

The Lord will protect you from all evil; He will keep your soul. The Lord will guard your going out and your coming in From this time and forever.

 My Protector and Defender is the Lord of angel armies, I will not submit to fear of opposition.

ASK GOD

James1:5

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.

 When I dont know the answer in my situation, God does and He is good enough to reveal his wisdom when we ask for it.

SUBMIT TO GOD

Malachi 3:10 NLT

Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Put me to the test! 

Can we afford to offer just a tenth of our time, thought, money, energy to the Lord. He is ready and willing to abundantly bless the portion that we give to Him.

CLOSING PRAYER

Dear Lord and Savior of mankind, thank you for the Cross! Thank you for the Cross! Thank you for the Cross! Can we say it enough? Say it again: “Thank you for the Cross!”  In Jesus Name, Amen.