Where Is God When Stuff Happens?

Read Job 23:1-9, 16-17 and Job 38:1-7, 34-41. Have you ever wondered where God is when bad things are happening in your life? Have you, like Job, wanted to call God to account? God's answer to Job's call is: "I'm God and you're not!" Is this a satisfactory answer for you? Why or why not?

Why Does Stuff Happen?

Read chapters 1 & 2 of the Book of Job. Read Deuteronomy, chapter 28. What do you think about "retributive justice" as outlined in Deuteronomy? What do you think about Job's suffering, knowing that he is innocent of any wrongdoing? Do you believe that God uses undeserved suffering as a way to test our faith? When "stuff happens" in your life, do you respond like Job does in chapter 2, with: "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Or do you respond like Mrs. Job, who advises Job to: "Curse God and die!"?