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Read: Job 17-18

We all go through suffering, but it looks different for everyone. Job was experiencing immense pain and loss, and he desperately wanted God to explain it or for his friends to support him in the way that he wanted and needed. Instead, he felt misunderstood and alone.

Recently, my uncle passed away unexpectedly. I take peace in knowing that he was recently working on his relationship with the Lord and was saved as a child. I also find comfort in knowing that the physical pain and ailments he dealt with on earth are no longer part of his reality. He hadn’t really been in my life since I was about fifteen because of family drama on his side, which makes the grief feel … strange. Someone that I loved and looked up to when I was younger, someone that I spent holidays with and shared childhood memories with, is suddenly gone. Even with the distance, there is still an ache.

Grief is a strange thing. It’s hard to describe, and it often comes in waves. With the passing of my uncle, nothing in my daily life necessarily changes, but knowing he is gone still leaves an empty feeling. If you are grieving someone, remember that the Lord sees you and knows your pain. When we seek Him, He offers comfort and healing.

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” -Psalm 34:18

Job also experienced deep grief when his children died. We know from earlier chapters that Job worried about their spiritual lives, yet they were still his children. From the depth of his lament, I can assume that he loved them deeply and felt profound pain in losing them.

We also have to remember that we live in a sinful world. Pain and suffering were never God’s original design. God loves us and desires good for us, but because of sin and free will, the world is very broken. Hard things happen. In those moments, our response should be to seek God in all seasons, not just praising Him in the good and calling out to Him in the bad.

In Job 17, Job believes he is nearing death:

“My spirit is broken, my days are cut short, the grave awaits me.” -Job 17:1

He feels exhausted and hopeless. Yet even in the middle of despair, Job still clings to faith and integrity.

“Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways, and those with clean hands will grow stronger.” -Job 17:9

Even in suffering, Job believes that righteousness and faith still matter. His pain is real, but he continues to hold onto God. When we face grief, hardship, or seasons that don’t make sense, we can learn from Job’s example.

Cling to God.
Cling to hope.

“… My hope is in you. Save me from all my transgressions …” -Psalm 39:7-8

Discussion Questions

1. Job feels overwhelmed and close to death in Job 17:1. Have you ever experienced a season where you felt emotionally or spiritually exhausted and pained like Job? What helped you get through it?
2. In Job 17:9 it says the righteous hold to their ways and grow stronger. What does it look like to hold onto faith during suffering?

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