I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear; But now my eye sees You. Job 42:5 NASB
I had heard that the book of Job answers the suffering question: Why do we suffer? However, I was always unsatisfied with the answer. I was disappointed because the answer is not a direct answer but more of a redirection to the sovereignty of God. And that is how I would try to answer people. “God is sovereign. His ways are higher than our ways. God has some grander purpose in mind . . ..”
I realize now that we are getting an indirect answer because we are asking the wrong question. Instead of asking why, it is better to ask: What do we do in times of intense suffering? Or as Job would put it, what do we do when our sadness and troubles are heavier than the sand of a thousand seashores (Job 6:3)?
In our pain, it is tempting to rage at God and call Him unjust, as Job does. My friend, God is not the one who condemns or tempts us (Rom. 8:1; James 1:13). Instead, He is our very present help in trouble (Is. 41:10).
Job’s friends, instead of bringing comfort, heaped condemnation on him. They were trying to convince Job that only the wicked suffer. The logical conclusion to their theology was that Job must be wicked and should repent. However, the Bible clearly states that God’s people will have troubles (Jn 16:33). Don’t give ear to those “friends” who condemn.
What shall we do to help ourselves in times of intense suffering?
Seek the face of God.
Press into Him.
In His presence is where we find the peace that is unexplainable based on our circumstances.
Intimacy with God is the answer to the suffering question.
We can be gratified knowing that, in the end, Job found that intimacy with God. Previously, Job had only heard about God. Now, he has seen God. That is a much more satisfying answer.