FHBC Sermon Notes

In seminary Jim says his professor said that there were two different books in the Bible that they needed to know intimately.  The first was Jeremiah, for the preacher, for the themselves, for the times that they would be oppressed. The other is the book of Job, and this is for the people of God, for their suffering.

Sometimes we say that God moves in a mysterious way.  We sometimes try to apply this to the circumstances when God save us mysteriously: a financial need suddenly met, a job unexpectantly offered, a child miraculously born. But what about when things go wrong?  Are these also not the mysterious way that God moves - perhaps a loved one dies, or we lose our jobs, or a child is found to be addicted to drugs.  Is this not also the movement of God? 

Job pleads for an audience with God to plead his case.  He seeks a reprieve, but we see him repent later, not as

As we look at this passages, let us consider this question. Why does God move in mysterious way…

Chapter 26 - Job does seem to understand the sense of God's sovereignty. 

> Behold, these are but the outskirts of his ways, and how small a whisper do we hear of him! But the thunder of his power who can understand?" Job 26:14

From the perspective of Job, he sees that God has power over creation, but he seems to think that perhaps God has lost control over Job's life.  God, in the end, does respond, but does not speak as Job intended.  God seems to be asking the question that I sometimes ask my own son, "Who's in charge?"

>Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind and said:  "Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?  Dress for action like a man;I will question you, and you make it known to me.  "Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?Tell me, if you have understanding.  Who determined its measurements—surely you know!Or who stretched the line upon it?  On what were its bases sunk,or who laid its cornerstone,  when the morning stars sang togetherand all the sons of God shouted for joy? Job 38:1-7

Everything is running as I intended is what God is saying.  Even your life, Job.  Job seems to understand this.

>Then Job answered the Lord and said:  "Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.  I have spoken once, and I will not answer; twice, but I will proceed no further." Job 40:3-5 

God understands, and God is sovereign.  What a great comfort this is to us.  For those that see God as a figment of man's imagination, they are confounded by this, but how true it is.

Wisdom is more that just knowing things.  Wisdom is taking you knowledge and using it in a righteous way.  God is wise because he knows all things, yes, but more than that God is wise because he acts on his knowledge with sound judgment. Furthermore, he acts in full, with full control, for nothing is beyond his reach.

When we understand God's wisdom, we are provoked to humility and greater faithfulness.  This is true trust. That we love and obey even when we do not know his ways our self.  God is faithful and so it was with Job. 

God is gracious to us more than we deserve.  This isn't just about Job having his wealth restored.  This is about having the breath of life to begin with.  The prosperity preachers would like us to believe that faithfulness leads to earthly prosperity.  But Job knows this is not true.  

>For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth.  And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God,  whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. Job 19:25-27

Is our suffering part of the grace of God?  Yes.  For this is what God showed us in the cross. Is the grace of God found in the cross, in the killing of his only innocent son, tortured, nailed, and suffocating to death on a wooden tree.  This is foolishness to world, but it is the grace of God to us.  So that everything God promised to us in Christ will be ours. 

How do we respond to this?! We respond first by repenting. Turning from our rebellion, we seek God's face.  And then in Christ our response is one of gratitude and thankfulness and finally boldness for the purpose of sharing this wonderful good news.

"Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name;worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness. Psalm 29:1-2"

Let this be our cry forevermore. Amen.