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The Patience of Job
by W. A. Criswell
Text: James 5:7-11
Topic: What we learn by looking at suffering from God's perspective
Big Idea: Looking at suffering from God's perspective allows us to see that, in the midst of trials, God is in control, increases our blessings, glorifies us, and makes us a blessing to others.
Keywords: Adversity; Bitterness; Blessings; Burdens; Darkness, figurative; God, sovereignty of; Grief; Long-Suffering; Oppression; Pain; Pruning; Restoration; Satan; Trials
Introduction:
- God's purposes for his creation are always good.
- Many people find it difficult to connect God's good purposes with the reality of suffering.
- -Psalm 73
- -Illustration: Job experienced a very real time
- of pain, loss, and distress.
In the midst of suffering, God is in control.
- Satan is real, and all of us will experience suffering at some point in our lives.
- God is in control of Satan, and is sovereign over our suffering.
- -Illustration: Jesus allowed Satan to sift Peter
- before the crucifixion, but used the experience to make
- Peter a better man (Luke 22:31-32).
In the midst of suffering, God increases our blessings.
- After enduring the trial, Job was blessed with a double portion of everything he had before.
- Job was blessed with a double portion of spiritual gifts as well.
- -Illustration: Job was able to find glory in
- submission to God after his trials (Job 42:1-10).
In the midst of suffering, God glorifies us.
- There are many people who are glorified according to the meaningless standards of the world.
- When we endure trials and suffering, God glorifies us in his kingdom.
- -Illustration: Abraham was not called "the
- friend of God" until he endured the torment of nearly
- sacrificing his only son (Genesis 22:1-19).
In the midst of suffering, God makes us a blessing to others.
- After being restored, Job is able to assist his three accusers by praying for them (Job 42:7-10).
- -Illustration: While in prison for 12 years,
- John Bunyan wrote The Pilgrim's Progress, which has
- been a blessing to many people for many years.
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