We all want to know the “why”, don’t we?

We want to know the purpose behind the pain.

If you want to read about someone who knew a little something about pain – then you want to look at Job.  Now, if you have read much of the Bible, you probably know the story.  He was a righteous, God-fearing man.  He had been blessed abundantly by God with family, possessions and wealth.

Then, the Bible says, there was a day.

Everyone can relate.  Things were going well for you.  You had a good job, good health, and life was good. Then, there was a day.

One by one, Job lost everything that was precious to him.  All of his children…gone.  His wealth…gone.  His health…gone.  Throughout the book of Job, we learn how to respond to suffering.

The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. – Job 1:21

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. – Job 13:15

Yes, Job teaches us how to suffer.

But, did you know, that Job also teaches us about the “why” behind the suffering?  It’s right there in the very last chapter.

It is easy to jump to the very end of the story when the Lord restored the fortunes of Job.  We all do love a happy ending, don’t we?  But, if you do that, you miss a fabulous little gem hidden in the Scriptures.  Are you ready?

Job speaks a final time to the Lord.

I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear… – Job 42:5

Here, Job is referring to the opening scene of the book.  Back in the beginning, when he was wealthy and successful and righteous…he had heard of Him.

but now..

But now…after there was a day…after trial upon trial had hit and he was about to drown in desperation.  After he had lost everything and had nothing but God to comfort him.

but now my eye sees You. – Job 42:5

Job had always believed.  Job always had faith.  But, he had only heard of the Lord.  He had a long season of untested faith, of uninterrupted blessing.  And it was good.  But nothing was as good as the “but now.”

Maybe, just maybe, that is the why behind the suffering.  Could it be that we see Him best when we have been stripped of everything else?

Are you content to only hear of Him?  Or, as painful as it may be, are you willing to suffer in order to see Him?