Job - Part 3
God's sovereignty over suffering is not about being mean or mad, but about showing kindness through severity.
In this sermon, the speaker discusses the concept of God's role in sickness and suffering. They argue that God has not relinquished control over Satan, but rather allows him to operate within certain boundaries set by the Lord. The speaker's daughter, Jemima, questions why God would make someone sick and take away their loved ones. The speaker explains that God allows suffering to reveal our true dependence on Him and to show that He is not our enemy, but rather a kind and gentle God. The speaker also mentions that some people wrongly believe that God's kindness and tenderness are the only aspects of His character, neglecting the importance of His severity and discipline.
Full Transcript
Do you think God made you so sick? She drew her breath and swallowed hard. I know you'd like to think that there's a foe that hurts and God that heals, and that would not be wrong. But I have sat and pondered months in pain to see if that is true, if misery is Satan's work and happiness is God's.
Jemima, we must bless the Lord for all that's good and bad. But Papa, God's not mean or mad. He's not our enemy.
He's kind and gentle, isn't He? Your mind is right, Jemima, but it's small. He's gentle, kind, but that's not all. I have some friends who thought they knew the mind of God and that their view of tenderness exhausted God's, and that severity and rods could only be explained with blame to vindicate His holy name.
So you think it was God who made you sick? I think God never laid aside the reins that lie against the neck of Satan, nor unfenced his pen to run at liberty but only by the Lord's decree. So you think God was kind to make you sick? Jemima asked. And take away your health and all your sons and friends and daughters, all the ones you loved.
Jemima, what I think is this. The Lord has made me drink the cup of His severity that He might kindly show to me what I would be when only He remains in my calamity. Unkindly, He has kindly shown that He was not my hope alone.
Sermon Outline
- God's Sovereignty in Suffering
- The Limits of Human Understanding
- The Purpose of Suffering
- Suffering can reveal our true character
- God's kindness can be shown through severity
Key Quotes
“The Lord has made me drink the cup of His severity that He might kindly show to me what I would be when only He remains in my calamity.” — John Piper
“God's not mean or mad. He's not our enemy. He's kind and gentle, isn't He?” — John Piper
Application Points
- We must trust in God's sovereignty over our lives, even in the midst of suffering.
- We must not assume we know God's mind or intentions, but rather submit to His will.
- Suffering can be an opportunity for God to reveal our true character and show us His kindness.