When Faith Wrestles with God’s Justice

Why, Lord? Holding Onto Faith in the Midst of Pain

Seeking Answers in Suffering

Job’s Cry for a Mediator

Trusting God When Nothing Makes Sense

The Silence of God and the Longing for Justice

Reflections on Job 8–10

Suffering often forces us to ask hard questions about God’s justice, love, and sovereignty. In Job 8–10, we see Job wrestling with these very questions in the face of unimaginable loss. His friend, Bildad, argues for a rigid, transactional view of divine justice—one that leaves no room for mystery or grace. Job, on the other hand, knows he has done nothing to deserve such suffering, and he desperately seeks an audience with God to plead his case.

At the heart of these chapters is the age-old struggle: How can a just God allow the righteous to suffer? And even deeper still: Is nothing impossible for God? Can He bring justice where there seems to be none? Can He restore when all appears lost? Through Job’s journey, we learn that true faith does not ignore suffering, but rather wrestles with God in the midst of it.

1. Bildad’s Faulty Theology: Right Premise, Wrong Application (Job 8)

Bildad is offended that Job still claims innocence while questioning God’s justice. He argues that God could never pervert justice (Job 8:3), meaning that Job’s suffering must be the result of his sin. His reasoning follows a simple equation:

• God is just.

• God punishes the wicked.

• Therefore, if Job is suffering, Job must be wicked.

This argument mirrors Eliphaz’s earlier speech (Job 4–5) but with even less compassion. Bildad goes as far as to say that Job’s children died because of their wickedness (Job 8:4). Instead of comforting Job, he deepens his wound by suggesting that the deaths of his children were deserved.

Spurgeon warns against such heartless reasoning: “Let us beware of the trite answers of well-meaning men. A broken heart needs binding, not beating.”

Bildad also assumes that Job has placed his security in something other than God: “What he trusts in is fragile; what he relies on is a spider’s web.” (Job 8:14, NIV)

While it is true that only God offers lasting security, Bildad’s application is flawed. Job has not abandoned his faith; he is struggling to understand God in the midst of suffering. Bildad’s theology leaves no room for the mystery of divine testing, the refining of character, or the reality that suffering is sometimes undeserved.

Reflection: Where do we find our security? In wealth, relationships, or status? Only faith in God can sustain us when all else fails.

2. Job’s Plea: Where is My Mediator? (Job 9)

In Job 9, Job acknowledges that God is just but struggles to see how he, as a mere human, can contend with Him: “How can a mortal be righteous before God?” (Job 9:2, NIV)

He describes God’s unmatched power over creation: “He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the constellations of the south.” (Job 9:8-9, NIV)

Despite his awe for God, Job feels helpless. He believes that even if he were innocent, God’s greatness would overwhelm him, making it impossible to defend himself: “Even if I were innocent, my mouth would condemn me.” (Job 9:20, NIV)

Here, we see Job’s growing frustration. He knows he is not perfect, but he also knows his suffering is not the result of unconfessed sin. He longs for a mediator—someone who can stand between himself and God: “If only there were someone to mediate between us, someone to bring us together.” (Job 9:33, NIV)

Theodore of Mopsuestia notes: “Job foresaw the need for a Redeemer, one who could reconcile humanity to God. His longing was not in vain.”

This is one of the most profound moments in Job’s lament. Unknowingly, he is pointing toward Christ, the Mediator who would come to bridge the gap between God and humanity. What Job desires—someone to plead his case before God—is exactly what Jesus accomplishes through His death and resurrection (1 Timothy 2:5).

3. Job’s Despair: Is God Against Me? (Job 10)

In Job 10, Job moves from questioning God’s justice to feeling personally attacked: “Your hands shaped me and made me… Will you now destroy me?” (Job 10:8, NIV) His despair deepens as he assumes that God is actively working against him. Pain distorts his perspective, leading him to the false conclusion that God created him only to bring him suffering.

“Did you not… clothe me with skin and flesh and knit me together with bones and sinews? You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit. But this is what you concealed in your heart, and I know that this was in your mind.” (Job 10:8-13, NIV)

Job’s words reveal a raw and unfiltered struggle. Brueggemann insightfully comments: “Job’s cry is not faithlessness, but faith seeking understanding in the midst of suffering.”

Even in his despair, Job is still talking to God. He is still seeking answers. This is an important lesson for us: God can handle our questions. Faith is not the absence of doubt, but the willingness to keep engaging with God in the midst of it.

4. Is Nothing Impossible for God?

At this moment in Job’s story, things look bleak. Job sees no hope, and Bildad offers no comfort. But we know how Job’s story ends—God will speak, God will restore, and Job will come to a deeper knowledge of His Creator.

1. Job thinks he has no mediator → God provides one in Christ.

2. Job thinks his suffering is pointless → God uses it to refine and restore him.

3. Job thinks he is abandoned → God is closer than he realizes.

George MacDonald reminds us:“The purpose of God’s justice is not punishment, but correction, and ultimately, restoration.” Though Job does not yet see it, his suffering will lead to revelation. Is nothing impossible for God? Job’s story proves that even in the darkest night, God is working toward redemption.

Final Takeaway: Wrestling with God is Still Faith

Job 8–10 challenges us to:

• Beware of rigid theology. Bildad’s view of suffering was simplistic and lacked compassion.

• Acknowledge the mystery of suffering. Job did not understand why he suffered, but he kept seeking God.

• Trust that God is working even when we don’t see it. Job saw no way forward, but God was preparing his restoration.

• Believe that nothing is impossible for God. Even in our darkest moments, God is not absent.

Job’s story reminds us that God’s justice and grace are far greater than we can comprehend. If we, like Job, continue to seek Him—even through doubt and despair—we will find that He was with us all along. The suffering is not the end. Redemption is coming.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father,

When life feels unfair and suffering clouds my understanding, help me to trust You. Like Job, I bring my questions, my doubts, and my pain before You. Teach me to rest in Your justice, even when I cannot see Your plan. Remind me that nothing is impossible for You—that in my weakness, You are working for my good. Give me faith to hold on, patience to endure, and hope in Your perfect timing. In Jesus, my Mediator, I find peace. Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

Living with Blessed Assurance

Free Will and God’s Sovereignty

Trusting God’s Sovereignty While Embracing Responsibility

Come, Rest, and Respond: Living in God’s Sovereign Plan

Tension of Trusting God and Responding in Faith

The tension between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility is one of the great mysteries of the Christian faith. If God is sovereign and ultimately in control, does that mean we are absolved of responsibility for our actions? Do we truly have free will, or is everything pre-determined? The Bible consistently teaches both: God is in complete control, yet we are fully responsible for our choices.

This truth is beautifully reflected in today’s readings:

• Psalm 9:7–12 reminds us that God reigns forever, establishes justice, and protects the oppressed. His sovereignty is unshakable, yet the psalm also calls us to declare His deeds and place our trust in Him.

• Matthew 11:16–30 reveals the responsibility of those who witnessed the ministry of Jesus and John the Baptist. Despite seeing God’s works firsthand, many rejected the call to repentance and grace. Jesus laments their hard-heartedness, highlighting human responsibility in the face of divine revelation. Yet, in verses 28–30, He offers a tender invitation: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” This invitation demonstrates both God’s sovereignty in offering rest and humanity’s responsibility to respond.

• Genesis 29:1–30:43 recounts Jacob’s journey—filled with personal choices, struggles, and relationships. Despite human flaws, God’s sovereign purposes are fulfilled as He continues to build His covenant people.

Sovereignty and Free Will in Harmony

The Bible does not present God’s sovereignty and human free will as contradictory. Instead, it reveals how God’s overarching plan works through our decisions, actions, and even our failures. Let’s consider how these truths apply to our lives:

1. God’s Sovereignty Does Not Absolve Us of Responsibility

While God is sovereign, He calls us to live wisely and make responsible choices. Jacob’s story in Genesis shows that human actions have real consequences. Yet, even when Jacob’s decisions were driven by personal desires, God’s greater purpose—to establish the nation of Israel—was never thwarted. In the same way, our choices matter, but they do not undermine God’s ultimate plan.

2. Free Will Exists Within God’s Sovereign Plan

Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28 is both genuine and gracious: “Come to me.” This is a choice that each of us must make. God does not coerce us; He invites us. His sovereignty ensures that His purposes will be accomplished, but our responsibility lies in responding to His invitation with faith and trust.

3. God’s Sovereignty Brings Assurance, Not Fatalism

Knowing that God reigns eternally (Psalm 9:7) should not lead us to fatalism but to assurance. In a world that often feels chaotic, God’s sovereignty anchors us. We can rest in the knowledge that He is working all things for good (Romans 8:28). This truth is not an excuse for passivity but an encouragement to live boldly, trusting that our lives are in His hands.

The Invitation to Rest

Perhaps the most comforting words in today’s readings come from Jesus in Matthew 11:28: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”

This invitation speaks to those who feel overwhelmed by life’s burdens, whether they stem from external circumstances or the weight of their own decisions. Jesus invites us to exchange our weariness for His rest, our striving for His peace.

His invitation is a call to trust in God’s sovereignty while actively embracing our responsibility to come to Him, learn from Him, and walk in step with Him. The yoke Jesus offers is easy, not because life becomes devoid of struggle, but because we are no longer bearing the weight alone. We walk with the One who is sovereign over all.

Living in the Tension

As Christians, we live in the tension between trusting God’s sovereignty and embracing our responsibility. We are not passive spectators in life, nor are we burdened by the impossible task of controlling everything. Instead, we are called to:

1. Trust in God’s perfect plan and timing, knowing He reigns forever.

2. Respond in faith and obedience, making choices that honor Him.

3. Rest in the assurance that, even when we falter, His purposes will prevail.

In this tension, we find freedom—not the freedom to live irresponsibly, but the freedom to live confidently, knowing that God is working all things together for our good and His glory.

Will You Respond?

The question is not whether God is sovereign—He reigns eternally. The question is how we will respond. Will we, like those in Matthew 11 who rejected Jesus, resist His invitation? Or will we come to Him, weary as we are, and find rest for our souls?

God’s sovereignty does not negate our responsibility; it empowers us to live courageously. Today, may you find peace in trusting His sovereign hand while faithfully walking in obedience. And may you respond to Jesus’ invitation, knowing that His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” —Matthew 11:28

Prayer:

Lord, You reign forever, and Your purposes stand firm through every generation. Thank You for inviting us to come to You with our burdens and find rest in Your perfect plan. Help us to trust in Your sovereignty while walking faithfully in obedience. Give us wisdom in our choices, courage in our responsibility, and peace in knowing that You are in control. May we find joy in being yoked to Christ, whose yoke is easy and burden is light. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Soli Deo Gloria

God’s Great Blessings to Believers

Living Hope, Eternal Inheritance

Faith Refined, Salvation Revealed

Rejoicing in Trials

From Grace to Glory

Peter’s first letter  (1 Peter 1:1-12) begins with an exuberant celebration of God’s mercy and the profound blessings given to His people. These verses provide a rich tapestry of encouragement, weaving together themes of hope, inheritance, faith, and salvation—all grounded in God’s eternal plan and His love for us in Christ.

1. A Living Hope (1 Peter 1:3-5)

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Peter 1:3, NIV).

Peter introduces us to the cornerstone of the Christian life: a living hope. This is not a fleeting or uncertain expectation, but a confident, vibrant hope grounded in the resurrection of Christ.

C.S. Lewis captures this beautifully: “Hope is one of the theological virtues. It means…a continual looking forward to the eternal world.” This hope is alive because Jesus is alive.

Matthew Henry reminds us, “The new birth is the first blessing of God’s grace to sinners. With it comes a lively hope that looks beyond this world to the eternal inheritance.” This hope is not passive but dynamic, sustaining us as we await the fullness of our salvation.

2. An Imperishable Inheritance (1 Peter 1:4-5)

“This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time” (1 Peter 1:4-5, NIV).

Our inheritance in Christ is eternal, untouched by decay or corruption. Unlike the fragile treasures of this world, this inheritance is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

Timothy Keller writes, “If you set your hope on anything in this world—career, relationships, possessions—they will eventually fade. But the hope we have in Christ is everlasting and unshakable.”

Eugene Peterson likens this inheritance to a treasure map, leading us through trials and triumphs toward the ultimate prize of eternity with God.

3. Trials That Refine Faith (1 Peter 1:6-7)

“In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith…may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:6-7, NIV).

Peter acknowledges the reality of suffering but reframes it: trials are not meaningless; they refine our faith, much like fire refines gold.

Charles Spurgeon offers wisdom: “Trials are the winds that root the tree of our faith deeper into Christ.” The challenges we face reveal the authenticity of our trust in God and prepare us for future glory.

Alexander Maclaren adds, “The brightness of the gold is brought out by the flame; so is the beauty of faith perfected in trial.”

4. Joy Unspeakable (1 Peter 1:8-9)

“Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8, NIV).

This joy is not rooted in circumstances but in the unchanging character of God and the certainty of His promises. It is a foretaste of the eternal joy believers will experience when we see Christ face to face.

Rick Warren calls this “purpose-driven joy,” sustained by the promises of God rather than fleeting emotions.

William Barclay reflects, “The Christian’s joy is independent of circumstances because it is founded on the unchangeable character of God.”

5. Salvation Revealed (1 Peter 1:10-12)

“Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care” (1 Peter 1:10, NIV).

Peter marvels at the mystery of salvation, which was foretold by the prophets and fulfilled in Christ. This salvation, which angels long to understand, is now revealed to us—a profound privilege.

N.T. Wright emphasizes, “The story of salvation is the thread that ties history together, showing God’s faithfulness across the ages.”

Martin Lloyd-Jones reminds us, “We are the most privileged people, living in the age of fulfillment, seeing what the prophets and angels desired to see.” This knowledge calls us to gratitude, purpose, and a life of sharing the gospel with others.

Prayer

Heavenly Father,

We praise You for the living hope we have in Christ and the imperishable inheritance You have prepared for us. Strengthen our faith through trials, and fill our hearts with joy that transcends circumstances. May we live as grateful recipients of Your salvation, reflecting Your love and grace to the world. Help us to set our hope fully on You and rejoice in Your eternal promises. 

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

This blog post reminds readers of the profound blessings God has given through Christ: a living hope, an eternal inheritance, and a faith refined by trials. It calls believers to rejoice in these truths and live with gratitude, purpose, and joy.

Soli Deo Gloria