Christian Resources

Dear Readers,

In this lesson, we delve into Job’s pain and the agonizing question of justice before God. The starting point is the central question from Job 4:17: “How can a man be righteous before God or how can one born of woman be pure?”

We have all experienced moments of suffering that seem to make no sense and appear as an unfounded curse. Job, a man of virtue and wealth, was visited by a series of inexplicable tragedies. In this study guide, we explore what it is like to put ourselves in Job’s shoes, as we often do when confronted with seemingly senseless suffering.

At the same time, we take a look at the perspective of Job’s companions who came to lament and mourn with him. We all know the challenge of finding comforting words when we see the pain of others. The dialogues between Job and his companions form a significant part of the Book of Job, and we will attempt to understand their search for meaning in an apparently meaningless world.

Let us dive together into these profound questions as we illuminate Job’s story and try to find answers to the mysteries of suffering. May this study guide not only deepen our understanding of Job’s pain but also strengthen our compassion for those confronted with unfounded suffering in our own world.

In the hope that this lesson encourages us to seek justice before God more deeply and to respond more empathetically to the sufferings of our fellow human beings.

Loving God,

We conclude this reflection on Job’s pain and the search for justice before you. In the deep abyss of human suffering, we recognize that our questions about justice often go unanswered. Yet in this darkness, we seek comfort and insight.

Help us grow in compassion and understanding, both for those who suffer and those who console. May our hearts be open to the profound mysteries of life, and let us not cease in our quest for justice before you.

Empower us in our own journey of faith when confronted with seemingly unfounded suffering. May the realization that you are above all give us hope and deepen our faith.

In your name, we pray, Amen.

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Dear Readers,

In the face of Job’s immeasurable suffering, described in the Bible as “Curse the Day,” we delve deep into humanity’s questions about pain, meaning, and hope. Job, a man of wealth and virtue, is beset by tragedies that seem to defy any explanation.

The blog reflects on how, despite Job’s ignorance and confusion, he holds an important lesson for us. As we illuminate Job’s story, we recognize that our own times of despair and suffering are not so far removed from Job’s.

The central message of the blog is to empathize with Job’s situation to better understand his confusion, anger, and grief. It emphasizes that while we may not share Job’s fate, we still experience moments of perplexity and suffering in a fallen world, especially as we strive to serve God and do what is right in His eyes.

The considerations span across several blog posts, from “Curse the Day” to “The Pains of Others,” exploring themes such as the transience of life, individual pain, and the limitations of human suffering.

The blog concludes with a profound reflection on “What is Man?” addressing the fundamental questions of our existence. It underscores the significant realization that God’s love constitutes the essence of being human, imparting unparalleled value and deep meaning to our lives.

In the hope that these reflections serve to bring light into dark hours and provide comfort in times of trial.

Merciful God,

We come before you with our thoughts on Job’s pain and the profound questions of human life. In the reflections from “Curse the Day” to “What is Man?” we have sought meaning, comfort, and hope.

We thank you for accompanying us in these reflections. In moments of perplexity and suffering, remind us of your love that constitutes the essence of our humanity. May this understanding illuminate our darkest hours and give us strength as we seek answers.

We bring the readers of this blog before you, especially those navigating their own times of despair and pain. May they find solace through these reflections and recognize the meaningful truth about your love and the worth of their lives.

In gratitude for your guiding hand and in the hope that these considerations bring light into dark hours, we pray. Amen.

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Dear Readers,

In the deepest depths of his suffering, Job posed existential questions that concern us all: “What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him, visit him every morning and test him every moment? How long will you not look away from me, nor leave me alone till I swallow my spit?” (Job 7:17–21) This question about human existence is of timeless significance, touching the roots of our identity.

“God, why do you take us so seriously? Why even bother with us? All we are is a puff of air; we’re like shadows in a campfire. Step down, inspect us from head to toe, oh yes, because of how much you care for us. So, why not look the other way? Why not forgive?” Job 7:17-21

Job, plagued by inexplicable suffering, doubted God’s interest in an individual. Faced with the immense greatness of God and the vastness of His creation, Job wondered why God would bother with an individual at all. This question, “Mah enosh?” (What is man?), expresses the fundamental need to understand our place in the universe.

Although some interpreters argue that Job might have been mocking later Psalms, the question of the essence of being human remains central. Regardless of Job’s specific situation, we are all called to ask these questions: Who are we? Why are we here? What is the meaning and purpose of our lives?

The answer to these questions may lie in God’s love for us humans. The Bible reveals in John 3:16 and 1 John 3:1 that God’s love is so profound that He sent His own Son so that we may be called His children. This love gives value and meaning to our lives. Ellen G. White aptly emphasizes this: “Through the infinite sacrifice of Christ and faith in His name, the sons of Adam become the sons of God.” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 563)

Therefore, the essence of being human lies in the love of God, who accepts us as His beloved children. This truth not only gives meaning to our lives but also provides hope and comfort, even in the darkest hours.

Merciful God,

In our contemplations on the essence of being human, we come before you, the Creator and Sustainer of our lives. Job’s existential question about the significance of humanity resonates in our hearts, and we seek answers that are profound and meaningful.

In our search for identity and purpose, we recognize the love you bestow upon us. Your love, manifested in the sacrifice of your Son, gives value and meaning to our existence. May this realization bring us comfort and grant us hope in the challenges of life.

In accepting that as your beloved children, we have a unique place in the universe, we want to express our gratitude before you. Let us find the essence of our humanity in this truth and be guided by your love as we solidify our identity in you.

In humility and gratitude, we pray. Amen.

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Dear Readers,

In our imagination, it may be challenging to conceive of living for several centuries. Methuselah, whose life is described in the book of Genesis, lived for 969 years – a timespan we can hardly fathom. Yet even he could not escape fate: death, the inevitable end of every life.

Let’s envision a conversation between Methuselah and a friend: “We live – for how long? 800, 900 years, and then we become history. What are 800 or 900 years compared to eternity?” (Genesis 5) This lament about the apparent brevity of life is timeless.

Job, a man confronted with immeasurable suffering, expressed his longing for rest in death in Job 7:1–11. He lamented the heaviness of life, full of sorrow and pain, and yet, he perceived it as short and fleeting. A paradox we often encounter – even in the midst of tragedies.

“The life of mortals is like forced labor, their days like those of a hired laborer. Like a slave longing for the evening shadows, or a hired laborer waiting to be paid, so I have been allotted months of futility, and nights of misery have been assigned to me. When I lie down I think, ‘How long before I get up?’ The night drags on, and I toss and turn until dawn. My body is clothed with worms and scabs, my skin is broken and festering. My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. The eye that now sees me will see me no longer; you will look for me, but I will be no more. As a cloud vanishes and is gone, so one who goes down to the grave does not return. He will never come to his house again; his place will know him no more. Therefore, I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.” (Job 7:1-11)

In a poignant article, an Adventist shares her struggles with depression and suicidal thoughts. Ironically, she laments that the life-extending Adventist lifestyle makes little sense when life is marked by suffering. In such moments, reason often disappears, and we are left alone with our pain and fear of hopelessness.

Even Job, who knew the promise of resurrection (Job 19:25), couldn’t overlook the transience of life in the darkness of suffering: “Remember that my life is but a breath, and my eyes will never again see good.” (Job 7:7) The proximity of death intensified his lament about the brevity of life.

How can we find solace amid these laments about life’s transience? Our perspective on the fall, death, and the promise of resurrection can help us contextualize the limitations of this earthly existence. By holding onto the hope of eternal life in Christ, we gain comfort and meaning that extends beyond the apparent shortness of this life.

Merciful God,

In our collective reflection on the transience of life, we come before you, who holds times in your hands. We think of Job’s lament and the timeless question of the meaning and duration of our earthly existence.

In moments of sorrow and suffering, when life seems short and fleeting, we seek your comfort. Let us view the perspective of the fall, death, and the promise of resurrection in the light of your love.

Help us embrace the transience of life with hope and serenity. May the certainty of eternal life in Christ fill our hearts and reveal the meaning behind the limitations of this earthly existence.

In our search for comfort and meaning in the weaving of life, we cling to the hope of eternal life. In gratitude for your love and faithfulness, we pray. Amen.

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Dear Readers,

Job, amidst his profound suffering, finds powerful words to describe his anguish: “Oh, that my grief were fully weighed, and my calamity laid with it on the scales! For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore, my words have been rash.” (Job 6:2–3)

This vivid depiction provides us with insight into the intensity of Job’s pain. Imagine having all the sand of the sea on one side of the scale and Job’s sorrow and suffering on the other—and yet, the latter weighs heavier than the countless grains of sand.

It is essential to recognize that Job’s pain is an individual experience. Often, we hear of widespread tragedies with many victims, whether caused by human actions or natural disasters. The numbers of the dead and injured can be overwhelming. However, just as Job bore his pain alone, each person experiences their suffering in a personal way. The concept of a “collective suffering of all humanity” does not align with reality. Each person undergoes their own pain, their own tragedy.

Even well-intentioned words like “I can empathize with your pain” have limitations. People can only feel their own pain, arising in response to the suffering of others. We cannot truly share or fully understand individual suffering.

As Christians, we are called, according to James 1:27 and Matthew 25:34–40, to alleviate the suffering of others. Yet, despite the immense suffering in the world, we can be thankful that no one suffers more than they can bear, with one exception.

Let us reflect on the limitations of individual suffering. How does this perspective change your view of the challenging topic of human suffering? In acknowledging the uniqueness of each pain, may empathy for the individual grow.

Merciful God,

In this shared reflection on Job’s deep pain, we come before you, who knows the individual suffering of every person. Job compared his sorrow to the weight of sand by the sea, and we recognize the uniqueness and intensity of his personal pain.

We ask for insight and understanding into the individuality of suffering. In a world often shaken by widespread tragedies, let us not overlook the personal stories and unique pain of each individual.

Help us approach the limited understanding of our own pains and the impossibility of fully sharing the pain of others with more mindfulness. May empathy for the individual grow as we become aware of the uniqueness of each suffering.

We thank you for providing us comfort and encouragement, even when we cannot fully grasp the depth of suffering. May our reflection on Job’s individual struggle in the sea of pain strengthen our compassion and lead us to be more attentive to the needs of our fellow humans.

In love and unity, we pray, in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Dear readers,

Imagine you are in Job’s position. Your life is falling apart, without any apparent reason or meaning. Everything you worked for, all the blessings bestowed upon you, are dissolving before your eyes. It seems as if the universe is in chaotic disarray, without a clear direction or purpose.

Years ago, a tragic school bus accident occurred, resulting in the loss of many innocent children’s lives. An atheist commented that such events could be expected in a senseless world because such a tragedy makes no sense in a world that supposedly has none.

But we know that this answer doesn’t fit for those who believe in God. Even Job, who faithfully followed God, couldn’t accept this explanation. In his deepest sorrow, he had no answers, only extreme grief and inevitable questions.

Let’s read Job 3:11-26: How did Job express his sorrow here, and how can we identify with his words? “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire? Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse? For then I would have lain down and been quiet; I would have slept; then I would have been at rest, with kings and counselors of the earth who rebuilt ruins for themselves, or with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. Or why was I not as a hidden stillborn child, as infants who never see the light? There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. There the prisoners are at ease together; they hear not the voice of the taskmaster. The small and the great are there, and the slave is free from his master. Why is light given to him who is in misery, and life to the bitter in soul, who long for death, but it comes not, and dig for it more than for hidden treasures, who rejoice exceedingly and are glad when they find the grave? Why is light given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For my sighing comes instead of my bread, and my groanings are poured out like water. For the thing that I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest, but trouble comes.”

Life, a gift from God, is a wonder that baffles modern science. The definition of “life” is not uniform among scientists, and questions about its origin and purpose often remain unanswered.

In the darkest moments of life, we inevitably question the value of our existence. Not in terms of suicide, but in moments when we wish, like Job, we were never born.

An ancient Greek once said that the best thing for a person besides dying is never to have been born. Life can be so terrible that the idea of not existing appears as relief, especially in the face of the inevitable pains of this fallen world.

Have you ever felt like Job? Have you wished never to have been born? And what was the outcome? Memories of better times that give us hope. In our darkest moments, it’s important to remember that the prospect of it getting better exists.

Together, let’s search for hidden meanings in the shadow of despair and find the hope that can be our light even in the darkest hours.

Merciful God,

In this moment of pause and shared contemplation, we come before you like Job, whose life was shattered by painful losses. The world around us seems to be in chaotic disarray, without a clear reason or purpose, and we seek answers.

Lord, we bring our thoughts and feelings before you, inspired by Job’s words expressing the desire never to have been born. In these moments of darkness, remind us of the hope you bring into our lives, the prospect that it will get better.

The gift of life, given by you, is a wonder that baffles modern science. In times of despair, we question the value of our existence. Let us recognize that hope can be our light even in the darkest hours.

Together, we move through the shadows of despair, searching for hidden meanings and the hope that strengthens us. Help us find answers to life’s questions and recognize the truth that you are above all, even when we cannot fully grasp the reasons for our suffering.

With empathetic connection, we conclude this prayer, aware that you accompany us on this journey through the shadows of despair. With love and humility, we trust that you are our light in the darkness. Amen.

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Dear readers,

Imagine you are Job. A life seemingly firmly rooted in God’s hands is crumbling before your eyes. Everything you worked for, all the blessings bestowed upon you, suddenly turn to dust. And the incomprehensible part is that there seems to be neither a clear reason nor an apparent purpose.

Years ago, a school bus accident ended in a tragedy that led an atheist to say such events could be expected in a senseless world. But for us, who believe in God, this answer makes no sense. Job, a faithful servant of God, couldn’t accept this explanation either. His heart was filled with extreme sorrow and the inevitable questions that such suffering brings.

Let’s take a look at Job 3:1-10: How did Job express his sorrow here? And in what ways could we identify with his words? “Then Job began to speak. He cursed the day of his birth and said, ‘Let the day perish on which I was born, and the night that said, “A man is conceived.” Let that day be darkness! May God above not seek it, nor light shine upon it. Let gloom and deep darkness claim it. Let clouds dwell upon it; let the blackness of the day terrify it. That night—let thick darkness seize it! Let it not rejoice among the days of the year; let it not come into the number of the months. Behold, let that night be barren; let no joyful cry enter it. Let those curse it who curse the day, who are ready to rouse up Leviathan. Let the stars of its dawn be dark; let it hope for light, but have none, nor see the eyelids of the morning—because it did not shut the doors of my mother’s womb, nor hide trouble from my eyes.'” (Job 3:1-10)

The gift of life, given by God himself, is a wonder that even modern science marvels at. We exist because God created us (Acts 17:28; Revelation 4:11). Yet, the question remains: Why do we live? Science doesn’t have a unified answer, and in desperate moments, we might question the value of our existence.

In his despair, Job expressed the wish never to have been born. Have you ever had similar thoughts? Moments when you wished life didn’t exist to escape the inevitable pains of this fallen world?

In these dark moments, it’s important to remember that hope lives within us. Have you ever found yourself in such despair only to later realize that it gets better? The prospect of it getting better is our hope, even in the darkest hours.

Together, let’s navigate through these deep waters, confront the shadow of despair, and seek hope. Life may sometimes present seemingly unsolvable puzzles, but together we can find the answers.

Merciful God,

In this hour of reflection and shared contemplation, we stand before you like Job, whose life was shaken by painful losses. We think of moments of despair when the world around us seems to sink into darkness, and the meaning of life is questioned.

Lord, we bring our thoughts and feelings before you, inspired by Job’s words expressing the desire never to have been born. In these moments of darkness, remind us of the hope you bring into our lives, the prospect that it will get better.

We confess that the gift of life is a miracle created by you. May your love and grace comfort us in times of despair and answer the questions about the meaning of our existence. Let us recognize that hope lives within us, even when the shadow of despair threatens to overwhelm us.

Together, we traverse the deep waters of pain and doubt, searching for light and hope. Help us understand the puzzles of life and recognize the truth that you are above all, even when we cannot fully grasp the reasons for our suffering.

In empathy and hope, we conclude this prayer, knowing that you accompany us on this journey through the shadows of despair. With love and humility, we trust that you will enlighten our hearts and guide us through every darkness. Amen.

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