God's approach to suffering

I am intrigued by the credulity of those who seem to think that proving the accidental arrival of life in this universe will spell victory for the skeptic. That is why God’s first approach to Job was to remind him that there was a power infinitely greater than his listening to Him - He was not just speaking into a void.

In His second approach we find that God has left Job to ponder about Him being both the Creator and Designer, and God now approaches Job as Revealer and Comforter. There is a place for knowing, healing, and reading, but there has to come a moment of personal surrender as God has graciously invited us to come to Him on a personal level.Remember Peter – quite of few quotes from others as to who Jesus was – but “who do you say I am?”Until pain is seen in a personal context and its solution is personally felt, every other solution, however good, will seem academic.

Suffering needs to be dealt with personally but also with a real understanding that there is life beyond the grave.  From Creator and Designer, to Revealer and Comforter and now God's third approach is as Mediator and Saviour. Our thirst for a mediator is a very genuine cry that has been expressed in virtually every theistic religion.  For most, the God who is out there is treated as still being out there. For others, the quest to bring God near without humanizing Him has been a particular struggle.  In the Christian faith, the fact that God comes close while remaining transcendent is very unique.  Suffering is not always because of one’s personal sin, but suffering will have to be dealt with personally.  Jesus Himself bore our pain and was made complete through suffering.

What should keep us going, more than anything else is our confidence in the character of God and that brings us to God's fourth approach to us.  From Creator and Designer to Revealer and Comforter to Mediator and Saviour and finally Strengthener and Restorer. 

Since Jesus has suffered Himself, Jesus is now able to intercede on our behalf.  Job provided a mirror image of that as he had to intercede for his three friends in order for them to obtain forgiveness from God.

Truths from Job
1.We must understand that suffering, death, disease, pain, and bereavement are all part of life, whether we be righteous or unrighteous.
2.We see that the role of a friend is very pivotal in seeing people through their times of anguish.
3.We know that most answers of this nature require a process. The questions must become more selfless before the answer becomes more personal.
4.We have learned that those who know God personally and understand the cross are better able to find help in the dark nights than those who merely tackle their problems philosophically

“When you are looking for wisdom, always look for one who has suffered much but whose faith has remained unshaken.”

Check out life story of an amazing individual - you may believe the ending.

http://www.bdcconline.net/en/stories/w/wang-mingdao.php