Reason #3-To Expand Our Perspective of God

As promised, and a little late, I have reason #3 in Dave Earley's book 21 Reasons Bad Things Happen to Good People.  If you are haven't read #1 and #2 there is a link at the top of the page with the same title that has all of the the reasons linked!  Enjoy!

To Expand Our Perspective of God (Job 42:1-2)

Job was frustrated with the devastation that touched his live and he looked for a chance to hear from God.  He pleaded for an explanation from God and for a chance to defend himself.  He felt that he needed clarification of why he was forced to have such sorrow in his life.  All through the book of Job the only answer Job received was silence.  Can you feel his frustration?
"If I have sinned, what have I done to you, O watcher of men?  Why have you made me your target?  have I become a burden to you?" (Job 7:20)

"Though one wished to dispute with him, he could not answer him one time out of a thousand." (Job 9:3)

"Even if I summoned him and he responded, I do not believe he would give me a hearing." (Job 9:16)

"He is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront each other in court.  If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both." (Job 9:32-33)

"I will say to God: Do not condemn me, but tell me what charges you have against me." (Job 10:2)

"I desire to speak to the Almighty and to argue my case with God." (Job 13:3)

For 36 chapters Job has to defend himself against his self-righteous friends.  In Chapters 3-38 Jobs begs God for an answer and only receives silence.

No explanation needed:

Miraculously in Chapter 38 God shows up!!  But instead of giving Job answers, God gives Job questions and reveals the unimaginable differences between the Creator and the creation.  The purpose was to put Job's suffering into perspective--a MUCH bigger perspective!

No explanation necessary:

Early explains, "Through his loss and grief, Job came to a much deeper realization of the immense and sovereign person hood of God."
"Then Job replied to the Lord: 'I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.'" (Job 42:1-2)
Can't you just hear the conviction in Job's voice?  He understands that God does not have to explain himself...HELLO!!  He is GOD!  Job observes:
"In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind...To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.  What he tears down cannot be rebuilt; the man he imprisons cannot be released.  If he holds back the waters, there is drought; if he lets them loose, they devastate the land.  To him belong strength and victory; both deceived and deceiver are his...He makes nations great, and destroys them; he enlarges nations, and disperses them." (Job 12:10, 13-16, 23)

It is very possible that God is doing things bigger than we could ever imagine and like Job, our suffering may be a part of something bigger than we are aware.  Early says, "He [Job] did not know everything about God, but he knew enough to trust God in the things he did not know.  Possessing a bigger, more accurate view of God is a very valuable gift.  A.W. Tozer writes, 'What comes to mind when we think of God is the most important thing about us.'  What would be the best thing you or I could ever possess?  That best answer is 'God,' as every good and perfect gift comes from Him.  When it comes to God, what would be the best thing you or I could obtain?  The answer is 'an accurate view of the immense size of our infinite God.'  To our detriment, we too easily forget how infinitely, big, intelligent, powerful and good is our God." 

A Bigger Perspective of God: 

Why was Job allowed to suffer?  Why didn't God initially answer Job's questions?  Why did God give Job a lesson in power?  

One of the many good things that can come from bad, if we choose to allow it, can be a clearer, bigger perspective.  Ultimately, we need God way more than we will ever need explanations.  And sometimes we just need a bigger view of God and of life.  

Why?

More important than knowing why we are suffering and in pain is the knowledge gained of God through our suffering.  More significant than an explanation is a bigger and more clear view of who God is and His love through our pain.  Early challenges. "Allow your questions, doubts, and pain to press you closer to God than ever before."