Here are a few things to meditate on:
- Suffering is universal, but it can be sanctifying and refining when viewed through faith.
- Job's story teaches us to trust, worship, and praise God even in the midst of intense suffering.
- Our response to suffering can lead to spiritual growth, deeper understanding of God, and the ability to intercede for others.
God's Response & Job's Revelation
June 23, 2024 • Pastor Jerome Gay Jr. • Job 38—41
Here are few points to mediate on this week:
- God's revelation is often more valuable than resolution: While we may not always get answers to our "why" questions, God provides us with the "who" – reminding us of His character and sovereignty.
- Our perspective is limited: Job's encounter with God reminds us of our finite understanding compared to God's infinite wisdom and power.
- Trust in God's presence and provision: Even when we can't feel or hear God, He is present and working in our lives, just as He cares for all of His creation.
Spiritual Misdiagnosis
June 16, 2024 • Pastor Jerome Gay Jr. • Job 4—36
Here a a few things to meditate on this week:
- We must be cautious not to judge a person's character solely based on their circumstances. Suffering is not always a direct consequence of sin.
- When comforting those who are hurting, we should offer sympathy, encouragement, assurance, affirmation, and love, rather than sarcasm, personal experiences, assumptions, advice, or legalism.
- We must seek the Lord's guidance in our compassion and counsel, relying on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit rather than our own understanding or experiences.
Guided While Grieving
June 9, 2024 • Pastor Jerome Gay Jr. • Job 2—3
Here are a few things to mediate on:
- Suffering and supernatural power can coexist. Like Job, we can experience God's power and presence even in the midst of trials and grief.
- When suffering, we should allow ourselves to grieve but not let grief define us. We can still worship, proclaim God's sovereignty, process pain through prayer and reflection, praise Him, and stay connected to our faith community.
- God is always at work in our suffering, even when we don't perceive it. He uses trials to produce endurance, character, hope, and Christ-likeness in us.
Satan, Suffering, and Sovereignty
June 2, 2024 • Pastor Jerome Gay Jr. • Job 1—2
Here are a few things to meditate on and apply this week:
- Suffering is a reality in this fallen world, but as believers, we can find hope knowing that Christ suffered for us, and that our suffering has an expiration date.
- God is sovereign over our suffering; while He may allow it, He never abandons us in the midst of it. We must never mistake God's silence for His indifference.
- Suffering tests the depth of our faith, hope, and motives. Like Job, we can choose to worship God, proclaim His sovereignty, and continue serving Him, even in our pain.
