Day 244: Where Does Suffering Come From?

1 Sep, 2015

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Tuesday, September 1st, 2015
CityLight Church’s One Year Bible Reading Plan
Job 40:1-42:17
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Psalm 45:1-17
Proverbs 22:14
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Commentary from Pastor Mike White:

And so it was, after the Lord had spoken these words to Job, that the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has.” – Job 42:7

Job’s friends were wrong the whole time! They lashed out at Job from a place of arrogance and pride. They assumed Job was suffering because he was a sinner, and that he deserved to be punished. But they were wrong.

Job’s suffering came from Satan; not from God. When we attribute our suffering to God, it is a vast misrepresentation of His character. God is good; Satan is bad. It really is that simple!

As New Testament Christians, we can take confidence in knowing that God will no longer deliver us to Satan when he asks for us. Satan asked for Job, and there was no mediator to stand up for Job. But on this side of the Cross, Jesus Christ is our Mediator!

And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you…” – Lk 22:31-32

Under the New Covenant, whenever Satan asks for us, Jesus says no!  Jesus delivers us from the plans of the enemy. He heals us of all our diseases, and rescues us from the depths of our sorrows. Thank God for the Cross of Jesus Christ!

Prayer:

Father, thank You for a Mediator! Thank You that Jesus Christ is always interceding for me. I know that You are the Author of all good things; Satan takes the blame for all the bad.

© Michael D. White, 2015. All rights reserved.