Remember now, who ever perished being innocent?

.... Or where were the upright ever cut off (Job 4:7)? The book of Job addresses the problem, or perhaps the questions that arise,  when good people suffer. In particular we ask, when someone is suffering, is it because they have done wrong?  I mean is life fair, and if not is God unjust to allow innocent people to suffer? The assumption behind  Eliphaz's question in this morning's verse, is false. He had seen that Job was suffering, and he was agreeing with the widespread belief that if someone suffers,  they must have done wrong, in particular Job must have sinned.  It's a wrong conclusion from the true premise that God is just, that if He is just, He must be fair in the here and now. And if He is fair in the here and now,  and someone is suffering then that person must be being punished by God. The Lord himself says that this is wrong (Job 42:7).

There was nothing more unfair than that the sinless Son of God Jesus Christ, was falsely accused and put to death. Jesus told us “If they persecuted Me, they will persecute you” (John 15:20).  In this World we will have trouble (John 16:33).  So then were are not think it strange that we encounter fiery trials as though some strange thing happened to us (1 Peter 4:12).  If we do good, suffer, but nevertheless take it patiently, this is commendable before God 1 Peter 2:20). The other wrong conclusion arrises here, is that if God is good, He must be powerless. We are also want to accuse God when we suffer. “He took my child,” or  “He stood by and did nothing while I was raped.” And we jump to the conclusion that He does not care! There are no simple answers to the problem of suffering, as to why God allows what He allows. I only know that when I turn to Him, He somehow uses my suffering redemptive (Romans 8:28).  

But to jump to the above false conclusions is far too simplistic.  It is black and white thinking,  and does not reflect reality. We do of course suffer when we do wrong, we reap what we sow (Galatians 6:7).  But we also suffer when other people do wrong, and we suffer from in the happenstances of life. But God is just (Mark 10:18), and in eternity He will make every path straight and right every wrong. In the meantime He is longsuffering with us not wanting anyone to perish but all to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). Indeed it is the goodness of God that leads to that (Romans 2:4).  And I believe in eternity, when we have all the facts we will say that He has done all things well (Mark 7:37).

Father, there are times when it has to be by faith that we continue to  believe You are good. In the midst of our pain so often we cry out “why.”  Even Job did this, though he could also say “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the Name of the Lord.”   He also said “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him (Job 1:21; 13:15).  Father please give us faith like this, and a double portion of Grace so that in the midst of the trials and the pain,  we will  continue to trust and honour You. And we will give you the glory in Jesus Name Amen