The Journey with Ron Moore

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Can Anyone Help Me? Job 9-10 https://buff.ly/epr6EpB In his book Disappointment with God, Philip Yancey recounts the story of Richard, a graduate student at Wheaton College who wrote a paper on the book of Job. Yancey agreed to review the paper and guide its development into a book. A year later, Richard secured a book deal, Yancey wrote the foreword, and the book was scheduled for publication. That’s when Richard called to speak with Yancey. It was a month before the book’s release. However, Richard explained that he had lost his faith. Through several personal challenges, including a job opportunity that had fallen through, his parents’ separation, and conversations with his pastor that left him wanting, Richard declared, “I hate God!” He went on to say, “No, I don’t mean that. I don’t even believe in God.” In this section of our Job study, we’re exploring Job’s disappointment with God. His words are honest and raw. As we noted last time, God's willingness to hear us speak from our hearts is a remarkable demonstration of his unconditional love. However, I must emphasize an essential point in this part of the story: Job expresses his disappointment but doesn’t linger there. So, let's ensure we do the same—learn and continue moving forward. We can’t get stuck like Richard did. Job's openness with God before the calamities hit continues afterward. He says, Job 10:1-2 I will give free utterance to my complaint; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2 I will say to God, Do not condemn me; let me know why you contend against me. Job doesn’t hold back. He acknowledged God as the great Creator whose “hands fashioned and made” him, who clothed him “with skin and flesh” and knit him “together with bones and sinews” (10:8-11). And yet, he still had plenty of questions. Let’s consider these from Chapter 9. Question #1: How can I answer God? (Job 9:14-19) Job desperately seeks a hearing with God. He accuses God of crushing him, wounding him, and not allowing him even a moment to catch his breath (9:17-19). He believes he is justified in challenging God but acknowledges, “Though I am in the right, I cannot answer him…” (9:15). Job concludes that his only recourse is to appeal for mercy. That’s where we all end up. God is our Maker, even through pain, confusion, and frustration. He is sovereign over all. We plead with him to grant us what we don’t deserve—in one word: mercy. Question #2: What good would declaring my innocence do? (9:19-24) Job 9:19-20 If it is a contest of strength, behold, he is mighty! If it is a matter of justice, who can summon him? 20 Though I am in the right, my own mouth would condemn me; though I am blameless, he would prove me perverse. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/epr6EpB

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Disappointment with God Job 7 https://buff.ly/jhpLqVm Have you ever been disappointed with God? Did it seem like he abandoned or forgot you or perhaps gave you the silent treatment? Maybe you think that way now. This often manifests as a question: ? “God, where are you?” ? “God, what are you doing?” ? “God, why did this happen?” King David asked a similar question: “How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” (Ps. 13:1) I’ll ask again: Have you ever been disappointed with God? If so, welcome to the story of Job. Job lost his ten children and his means of making a living. Then, the final blow struck when disease ravaged his body. The painful sores forced Job to isolate himself at a garbage dump to cope with both his suffering and the oozing wounds covering his body. Three friends came to help, but their words were as hurtful as his ailments. Job’s responses to them center around these five themes: 1. Disappointment with Friends 2. Disappointment with God 3. Declaration of God’s Greatness 4. Desire for Death 5. Desire for Court Appearance with God We’ve reflected on Job’s disappointment with his friends. Now, let’s spend time with Job as he pours his heart out to God. Today, we will focus on Job 7. Job was experiencing a time he called “a hard service on earth” (7:1). Sleep was elusive for him. A close friend, who was struggling, messaged my wife, Lori, about a passage she read on a night she couldn’t sleep. Nights can be tough during difficult times. Job expressed, "...So I am allotted months of emptiness, and nights of misery are apportioned to me. When I lie down I say, ‘When shall I arise?’ But the night is long, and I am full of tossing till the dawn” (7:3-4). Let’s pause here: If you know someone going through a rough period, pray for them at night. The nights can stretch long and be filled with physical, emotional, and mental anguish. And the days aren’t any better for Job. He states that his “flesh is clothed with worms,” consuming his dead flesh. His skin hardens, cracks, and oozes with infection (7:5). He likens himself to a hired worker who longs for the day to end (7:2). His life passes by quickly, with no sign of God appearing. Job feels a deep sense of hopelessness (7:6). He has been contemplating his disappointment with God and is now ready to voice it aloud. Job 7:11 Therefore I will not restrain my mouth; I will speak in the anguish of my spirit; I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/jhpLqVm

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Disappointment with Friends Job 6 https://buff.ly/nSaaYix Not long ago, Lori returned to our hometown to visit her dad, who was recovering from surgery. While she was sitting with her dad in his room at a care facility, Manuel stopped by. He had been friends with Lori’s dad for many years. Lori expressed to Manuel how much she appreciated his visit, prompting him to share a story. Manuel asked, “You know Bart?” That was more like a statement than a question, as everyone in our small town knew Bart. He owned a large farm and was active in the community and church. Manuel continued, “Several years ago, tragedy struck our family. My son committed suicide. The grief was overwhelming, and it was a dark time for me. Right after the funeral, I received a call from Bart. He said he would come over in the morning with coffee to sit with me. So, the next morning, Bart showed up. We hardly spoke; we just sat there drinking coffee. Before he left, Bart promised to bring coffee again the following day and every morning after that until I told him I didn’t need him to come. Bart showed up with coffee every morning for a month until I finally felt like I had turned a corner. I can’t put into words what that meant to me.” Job’s friends did not sit quietly drinking coffee with him. They believed that the tragedies Job was grieving and his afflicted body resulted from his sins. We have examined their counsel to Job—well, their insinuations and accusations. Now, we will explore the themes that emerge in Job’s responses. He acknowledges God’s greatness and expresses his disillusionment with God’s ways. He shares his despair over his life and his wish for a court hearing with God. Not surprisingly, Job begins his initial response by proclaiming disappointment in his friends. Can you blame him? Job 6:1-4 Oh that my vexation were weighed, and all my calamity laid in the balances! 3 For then it would be heavier than the sand of the sea; therefore my words have been rash. 4 For the arrows of the Almighty are in me; my spirit drinks their poison; the terrors of God are arrayed against me. Do you remember back in chapter 3 when Job wished he had never been conceived, never been born, and hoped that death would free him from his prison of pain? Eliphaz rebuked him for such thoughts, claiming that sin was the cause of all the disasters and disease. Bildad and Zophar nodded in agreement. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/nSaaYix

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: RESET Job 2:11-13 https://buff.ly/8GCtTLe As the patriarchs of Israel were moving from place to place in Canaan, and God was preparing a nation through which to send Jesus, he was also actively working throughout the world. In northern Arabia, in the land of Uz, there lived a man named Job, who was prosperous and well-established. Job owned land as far as the eye could see, had vast herds, operated a shipping company, and produced donkey’s milk, a delicacy of the time. Many years later, it was said that Cleopatra bathed in donkey’s milk. Above all, Job loved God. He was upright and blameless, devoted to serving the Lord. He lived a disciplined life of integrity and was the spiritual leader for his large family. He was the most remarkable man in all the East. Then, one day, he lost everything. The narrative leading up to Job’s tragedies is found in chapters 1 and 2. Satan accused God of buying Job’s devotion. This prompted God to give Satan full reign in testing Job—without taking his life—to prove this accusation false. The intense trials forced Job from his spacious home to a refuse dump, where he sat in humility and excruciating pain, surrounded by three friends. The nineteenth-century Scottish writer Alexander Whyte expressed it well: “Till Christ came, no soul was ever made such a battleground between heaven and earth as Job’s soul was made.” Job’s story begins with his distress (Job 1-3), moves to his defense (Job 4-37), and ends with his deliverance (Job 38-42). We are focusing now on Job 4-37. Over the last few times, we examined the messages from Job’s three friends. They alternately detailed how his life had unraveled. Their speeches were characterized by bluntness, sarcasm, and harshness, showing little compassion. Furthermore, their arguments remained consistent: ? Job, God is just. ? Job, God punishes sin. ? Job, your tragedy is the result of your sin. ? Job, repent! After each friend spoke, Job responded (see the outline of Job at the end of this devo). Job’s replies echo five themes. We’ll use these themes to drill down on Job’s words and thoughts. ? Disappointment with his friends. ? Declaration of God’s greatness. ? Disillusionment of God’s ways. ? Despair with life. ? Desire for exoneration with God. Before we start Job’s rebuttals, I want to take today to discuss what we can learn from the three friends. There are many lessons; let’s focus on two of them. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/8GCtTLe

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: A Friend You Want to Stay Away Job 20 https://buff.ly/pVKxKiI The Sound of Music is a classic movie based on the real story of the von Trapp family, who fled Salzburg, Austria in 1938 to escape the Nazi occupation. The film, a musical, takes many liberties with the real story. I am not a big fan of musicals. It’s weird when people talk to each other for one moment and then sing to each other the next. But The Sound of Music is one of Lori’s favorites, and she makes me watch it. The movie adaptation of the story centers on Maria, who leaves a convent to become the governess for seven children. The children’s father, Captain Georg von Trapp, is a widower who manages his family with military strictness and structure. Eventually, Maria and Captain von Trapp fall in love and marry. In a romantic scene, they express their feelings by singing to each other. The lyrics of the song reflect the philosophy of Job’s three friends, which posits that the wicked are punished while the good are rewarded. Here’s the first verse and the chorus. Perhaps I had a wicked childhood Perhaps I had a miserable youth But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past There must have been a moment of truth Nothing comes from nothing Nothing ever could So somewhere in my youth Or childhood I must have done something good That’s the argument we have been tracking in Job. And that mindset continues in Zophar’s second speech in Job 20. Zophar listened to Job respond to Bildad’s second speech and became impatient. He is one of those people who would rather talk than listen. Do you know anyone like that? Zophar said, “My thoughts answer me, because of my haste within me.” He doesn’t listen while others talk. Instead, he thinks about his response and can’t wait to share it. Zophar also noted that he was insulted by Job’s remarks (Job 20:3). Zophar has made his judgment on Job, concluding that Job is wicked. His final speech is a topical sermon we could title “What Happens to the Wicked.” Zophar’s diatribe has three points. Sermon Point #1: The wicked will live short lives (Job 20:4-11). Zophar is sure that Job is a wicked man. That’s why his life is being cut short. The evil may seem to prosper, but it never lasts long. The “exulting of the wicked is short, and the joy of the godless but for a moment” (Job 20:5). Things may go well for them for a while. It may seem their lives “mount up to the heavens,” and their “head[s] reach to the clouds,” but the higher they go, the harder they fall. They descend from the heavens and land hard on the ground to “perish forever like [their] own dung” (Job 20:6:7a). The demise of the wicked will be so fast that… Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/pVKxKiI

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: The Voice of Zophar Job 11 https://buff.ly/45yVD2I There’s an old anecdote about a preacher who greeted people as they left church on Sunday. One man shook the preacher’s hand, looked him in the eye, and said, “Today’s sermon was the worst sermon I’ve ever heard.” The next person in line added, “Not only was that the worst sermon I’ve ever heard, but I can’t believe we actually pay you to be our pastor.” However, the following congregant reassured the preacher: "Don’t worry about what those two said. They don’t have a mind of their own; they simply repeat what everyone else is saying!” In our study of Job, we have encountered harsh criticism from Job’s friends, Eliphaz and Bildad. Today, we meet Zophar, who essentially reiterates the other two friends' sentiments. Let’s review our setting. The prologue of the book of Job is presented in narrative form. In chapters 1-2, we are introduced to the greatest man in all the East, who led an upright and blameless life. Job was blessed with a large family and substantial wealth. Satan accuses God of buying Job’s devotion, and to prove Satan wrong, God allowed him to test Job. Satan wasted no time; the testing was severe. Job’s trials drove him from his home to the dump, where he sat as an outcast, mourning the loss of his family and wealth while suffering due to his deteriorating health. Three friends came to comfort and support Job—at least, that was their initial intention. The friends’ counsel and Job’s responses are presented in poetic form and unfold as follows: three rounds of speeches from Eliphaz and Bildad, and two rounds from Zophar. Each man listened to the advice the others gave and Job's replies after each discourse. Zophar heard the arguments from Eliphaz and Bildad but had nothing original to contribute; still, he felt the need to chime in. Zophar began his first speech with a sharp albeit unoriginal introduction. He repeated Bildad’s cutting remark that Job is full of hot air. In response to Job’s rebuttal, Zophar said, “Should a multitude of words go unanswered, and a man full of talk be judged right? Should your babble silence men…” (11:2-3). Zophar accused Job of using many words to say nothing. Then, he delivers the accusation. Job 11:4-6 For you say, ‘My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in God’s eyes.’ 5 But oh, that God would speak and open his lips to you, 6 and that he would tell you the secrets of wisdom! For he is manifold in understanding. Know then that God exacts of you less than your guilt deserves. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/45yVD2I

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Room for Mystery Job 18 and 25 https://buff.ly/EmJePRZ Writing about the greatness of God, the prophet Isaiah asked, “Who has measured the Spirit of the LORD, or what man shows him his counsel? Whom did he consult, and who made him understand? Who taught him the path of justice, and taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of understanding? (Isa. 40:13-14) The answer to these rhetorical questions is, “No one!” No man or woman can understand the mind of God and all the ways he works in our lives and the world. And for some people that’s a problem. Many people insist that everything, even the truths about the eternal God, must make sense in their finite minds. American journalist H. L. Mencken articulated this idea well: “To every complex question, there is a simple answer — and it’s clever, neat, and wrong.” When we examine the nature of God, prepare for some mystery. Job’s friend Bildad had no room for mystery. He was convinced that he understood the issue surrounding Job’s predicament. This is what made sense to him: ? God is just. ? God punishes the guilty. ? Job was being punished for his sin ? Turn from sin and God will bless you. For Bildad the answer was simple, clever, neat, and wrong. But that didn’t stop his blunt and brutal argument. In his first speech, Bildad asserted that God’s justice required the guilty to be punished, pinpointing Job’s situation. Bildad adopted a historical perspective, grounding his theology in the insights of men from "bygone ages,” ancient men who had done their homework (8:8). Job’s dilemma was that he was a godless man who had forgotten God (8:13). His understanding of God was as delicate as a spider’s web (8:14). Bildad’s second speech reiterates the same argument, but second verse. Bildad continues in his assessment that Job is a windbag (18:1) and is irritated that Job does not agree with his viewpoint. He asks Job, “Why are we counted as cattle? Why are we stupid in your sight?” (8:3) Bildad focuses on Job’s overwhelming misery and deems that the poor man is close to death. He says that Job’s light is going out and soon the “flame of his fire” will cease to shine. His life will fade like putting out a lamp in a tent (8:5-6). Job, Bildad says, is like a man who is trapped. Job 18:7-10 His strong steps are shortened, and his own schemes throw him down. 8 For he is cast into a net by his own feet, and he walks on its mesh. 9 A trap seizes him by the heel; a snare lays hold of him. 10 A rope is hidden for him in the ground, a trap for him in the path. Job is likened to a fugitive being chased down by death (Job 18:11-15) or an uprooted tree (Job 18:16-20). Bildad’s judgment on Job is severe: “Surely such are the dwellings of the unrighteous, such is the place of him who knows not God” (Job 18:21). Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/EmJePRZ

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: God in Balance Job 8 https://buff.ly/WKr0tnW The book of Job teaches us to hold onto our faith during challenging times. Three questions weave in and out of the pages. Can I trust God when life doesn’t make sense? Can I trust God during my pain? Is God enough? Job lost his family, wealth, and health, leaving him to grapple with questions about God. The foundation of his life has collapsed. He is in emotional pain from losing his family. He endures physical suffering due to his deteriorating health. It’s hard for him to breathe (9:18), and he has no appetite (3:24). He is covered in painful, ulcerous sores (2:7). Additionally, he faces spiritual turmoil. What is God doing? Can I trust him? Is he enough? Three friends came to help Job in his dire situation. Eliphaz went first, directing his remarks at Job through three rounds of speeches. He essentially said, “Job, you are guilty. You are being punished for your sins. Turn from your wicked ways, and God will bless you.” So much for compassion and support. However, Eliphaz was gentler with Job than our next speaker. Bildad delivers a harsh verdict. He didn’t start with Job; he began with God. He argued, “God is just. God punishes the guilty, and he is punishing you, Job, for your guilt. Turn away from your sins, and God will bless you.” In making this claim, Bildad is blunt and downright cruel. Bildad began by asserting that Job was nothing but a blowhard (Job 8:2). Can you imagine saying that to a man covered in oozing sores? Then it gets worse. Bildad told Job that his children had sinned against God, which led to their deaths (Job 8:4). The Message translates the verse like this: “It’s plain that your children sinned against him—otherwise, why would God have punished them?” Most people would have punched Bildad in the face for that comment. I know I would have. Bildad reminds Job that his children are gone, and while it's unfortunate for them, Job can still save himself. Job 8:5-7 If you will seek God and plead with the Almighty for mercy, 6 if you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation. 7 And though your beginning was small, your latter days will be very significant. Two things to consider: First, Bildad is brutally direct. His lack of compassion is clear in his initial words: “Job, you are nothing but a big bag of hot air, and your children are dead because of their sin.” His reckless words pierce like a sword (Prov. 12:18). He is the type of person who has never been wrong and is convinced that he is always right. He consistently hurts others and seems indifferent. I can imagine that, in his home, words of encouragement are seldom heard. I picture Bildad rarely, if ever, smiling. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/WKr0tnW

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Sinner and Hypocrite! Job 22 https://buff.ly/XcwcCAd Ann underwent major surgery. Her daughter-in-law emailed Ann’s friends to ask them to pray for her during the lengthy operation and recovery period. Lori and I were honored to be part of that “prayer chain.” Knowing that people are praying for you when facing a challenging time is significant. Job’s friends didn’t “lift him in prayer” during his struggle with a debilitating illness. They believed Job’s suffering resulted from his sins. In three rounds of speeches, the friends took turns explaining to Job why he was in pain. Job responded to each friend’s accusations. We will examine the individual arguments and Job’s corresponding replies for our study purposes. Yesterday, we considered Eliphaz’s first two messages recorded in Job 4 and 15. Today, our focus is on Job 22. In his final confrontation, Eliphaz tells Job, “You are a sinner!” (Job 22:1-11), “You are a hypocrite!” (Job 22:12-20), and “You must repent!” (Job 22:21-29). Job, you are a sinner! (Job 22:1-11) Eliphaz began his third discourse with an intriguing question. As Job asserts his innocence, Eliphaz asks, “Is it any pleasure to the Almighty if you are in the right, or is it gain to him if you make your ways blameless?” (Job 22:3). This question sheds light on Eliphaz’s view of God. He perceives God as an absent parent—distant and uninvolved. However, God’s regard for Job is evident in the initial conversation with Satan: “...The Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth…?’” (Job 1:8) The prophet Zephaniah declared, "The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love, he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing” (Zeph. 3:17 NIV). We understand that God’s love for his children extends all the way to the cross (Rom. 5:8). The accusation that Job was a sinner led Eliphaz to blame him for actions he never committed. Eliphaz claimed that Job loaned money to his relatives and took their clothing as collateral (Job 22:6). He accused Job of withholding water from the thirsty and food from the hungry (Job 22:7). Eliphaz fabricated stories about Job mistreating widows and orphans (Job 22:9). There was no evidence to support any of these charges. Nevertheless, Eliphaz was convinced that grave sin was the cause of Job’s suffering, thus determining that Job must be filled with pride and greed, lacking mercy and compassion. Job, you are a hypocrite! (Job 22:12-20) Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/XcwcCAd

God’s Story in Your Suffering Job: Who Suffers Without Reason? Job 4 and 15 https://buff.ly/ZIZs6jS A few years ago, I visited Jim at a local hospital and invited a leader from our church to join me. Jim was experiencing severe stomach pain and had been losing weight. His doctor wanted to run some tests, and understandably, Jim was worried. Our visit aimed to see how Jim was feeling, encourage him, read Scripture, and pray together. However, the church leader I brought along took a different approach. Once we settled into the room, he took over the conversation. “Jim,” he said, “I have a question for you. Is there any sin in your life?” Jim was taken aback, as was I. Despite his pain, he replied, “Well, no major sins that I know of.” Afterward, I spoke with the leader about my frustration regarding his abrupt question. I also added it to my list of coaching tips under the title, “What not to say during a hospital visit.” Many people believe that life's challenges are always the result of sin. They hold a “cause and effect” view of God: sin leads to punishment, while obedience results in blessings. However, our study reveals that Job was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” God was not punishing Job for sin; instead, he was permitting Satan to test Job’s integrity. While Job was emotionally suffering from the loss of his family and physically struggling with declining health, his friends came to support him. They sat silently with Job for seven days. However, beginning in Job 4, everything changes. Chapters 1-3 detail Job’s distress, while chapters 38-42 describe his deliverance. In between, throughout the extensive poetic section of Job 4-37, Job presents several rebuttals as his friends take turns bombarding him with insinuations and accusations. The first to speak is Eliphaz, regarded as the oldest of these friends. I have consolidated his three speeches from Job 4, 15, and 22 for our purposes. Eliphaz hears Job’s desperate plea for relief (Job 3) and cannot remain silent. He urges Job to be patient while presenting his case. Eliphaz begins by reflecting on Job’s past, noting that Job provided wise counsel to many who faced difficulties. Eliphaz commends Job, saying, “Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees” (Job 4:3-4). When I read these verses, I think of someone who always starts their complaint by expressing love and appreciation before delivering criticism. I can picture your knowing smile; you’ve experienced this too. The “comfort then confront” approach is a familiar pattern; for Eliphaz, it’s time to confront. Watch Video and Read More - https://buff.ly/ZIZs6jS