Andy Stearns shares from his personal experience of walking through deep waters with his wife's terminal illness, using Job chapter 1 to show how believers can walk through suffering in a way that honors God.
Scripture Text
Job 1
Main Points or Ideas
Three ways to walk through trials like Job:
- Walk uprightly - Job was blameless, upright, feared God, and turned away from evil. His character was thoroughly godly both externally and internally. Walking uprightly prepares us for trials through sanctification
- Be ready for the trial - God sovereignly allowed Satan to test Job, demonstrating that trials serve God's purposes. Satan's real argument was against God's character, claiming God only has followers because He pays them off. We must wrestle with God's sovereignty over every event
- Stand back up and bless the Lord - Despite losing everything, Job worshiped, saying "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." It's biblical to lament and call evil what it is, but we can still trust God's unchanging character
The entire book of Job is about vindicating God's character, not just about Job's suffering. When we stand up and bless God in trials, it demonstrates His worthiness and defeats Satan's accusations.
Conclusion
God's character never changes even when circumstances change constantly. Believers can walk through trials by remembering they are servants of a sovereign God and choosing to bless Him regardless of circumstances.
