When we have needs or even great desires, it is exciting when are they are fulfilled. There is great joy, rightfully so. When we are talking about the miracles of Jesus, there is even more excitement. However, we also need to be careful to not treat God as a vending machine, which has been the pattern of many pagan beliefs. When looking Jesus’ first miracle in John 2:1-11, we see that it is a sign that point to something very…
We conclude our series in Job (Job 38:1-11, Job 42:1-5) by looking at God’s response to Job’s many questions. Instead of offering explanations for his suffering, God meets him with His presence and a sweeping reminder of His wisdom, power, and care over creation. In the end, Job discovers that what he needed most was not answers, but a clearer vision of God Himself. This message invites us to trust the character of God when life feels confusing or unfair,…
We do not serve a pocket sized God. If we get anything from the book of Job it is that our God is BIG – and we can trust Him. Though Job’s friends comfort him at first (Job 2:11-13), they slowly turn from good, to the bad and the ugly. Too often (like Job’s friends) we have a karma attitude about bad things happening; that there is a deserved. Let’s not be miserable comforters (Job 16). We need to listen,…
Job is a challenging book. He experienced suffering for no apparent reason (Job 1:8-22), though his friends are certain that he must have done something to deserve it (Job 2:1-12). In the end, God’s response is to remind him of the power, knowledge and sovereignty of God himself. But we are left without a satisfying reason for suffering and questions of justice. This is exactly how we experience much of suffering. Many questions are left. Job understands we are to…