Grace through Wisdom – Wisdom in Suffering Job 28:12-28

Job 7:1-5 (NLT) 

    "Is this not the struggle of all humanity? A person's life is long and hard, like that of a hired hand, [2] like a worker who longs for the day to end, like a servant waiting to be paid. [3] I, too, have been assigned months of futility, long and weary nights of misery. [4] When I go to bed, I think, 'When will it be morning?' But the night drags on, and I toss till dawn. [5] My skin is filled with worms and scabs. My flesh breaks open, full of pus.

Job 11:12 (NLT) 

    An empty-headed person won't become wise any more than a wild donkey can bear human offspring!

Job 11:13-18 (NIV) 

    "Yet if you devote your heart to him and stretch out your hands to him, [14] if you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent,  [15] then you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.  [16] You will surely forget your trouble, recalling it only as waters gone by.  [17] Life will be brighter than noonday, and darkness will become like morning. [18] You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety.

Job 12:1-3 (NLT) 

    Then Job spoke again:  [2] "You really know everything, don't you? And when you die, wisdom will die with you! [3] Well, I know a few things myself—and you're no better than I am. Who doesn't know these things you've been saying?

Job 28:12-28 (NIV) 

    "But where can wisdom be found?

        Where does understanding dwell?

    [13] Man does not comprehend its worth;

        it cannot be found in the land of the living.

    [14] The deep says, 'It is not in me';

        the sea says, 'It is not with me.'

    [15] It cannot be bought with the finest gold,

        nor can its price be weighed in silver.

    [16] It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,

        with precious onyx or sapphires.

    [17] Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,

        nor can it be had for jewels of gold.

    [18] Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;

        the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.

    [19] The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;

        it cannot be bought with pure gold.

    [20] "Where then does wisdom come from?

        Where does understanding dwell?

    [21] It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,

        concealed even from the birds of the air.

    [22] Destruction and Death say,

        'Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'

    [23] God understands the way to it

        and he alone knows where it dwells,

    [24] for he views the ends of the earth

        and sees everything under the heavens.

    [25] When he established the force of the wind

        and measured out the waters,

    [26] when he made a decree for the rain

        and a path for the thunderstorm,

    [27] then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;

        he confirmed it and tested it.

    [28] And he said to man,

        'The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom,

        and to shun evil is understanding.' "

1. The doctrine of Creation teaches us about God’s created order in the world while the doctrine of the Fall teaches us about our fallen and sinful world

Suffering has two components – the pain of suffering and the shock of suffering.

Job 28:28 (NLT) 

    And this is what he says to all humanity: 'The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.' "

2. To fear the Lord is to be scared in the presence of Someone incredibly good and incredibly wonderful

We are scared in the presence of God because we know our flaws will be exposed and we will lose control because we have to submit to Him

1 Peter 4:19 (NLT) 

     So if you are suffering according to God's will, keep on doing what is right, and trust yourself to the God who made you, for he will never fail you.

Job 2:9-10 (NIV) 

    His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!" [10] He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?"

In a fallen and sinful world, instead of being shocked by suffering, learn to humbly accept suffering as a part of our existence, without becoming bitter

3. The fear of the Lord in the midst of suffering means not only seeing our suffering but opening our eyes to the presence of our Good and Faithful God

Choose to persevere in trusting God in the midst of suffering by leaning on Him, even without our feelings and in time, we will see His miracles