Child, Your Sins Are Forgiven (Mark 2:1–12)

 

Child, Your Sins Are Forgiven (Mark 2:1–12)

What is the good news we can ever hear? It is receiving the forgiveness of sins. When a prisoner finishes a sentence and walks out of prison, we cannot even imagine how long he has waited for that day. But even that cannot be compared with receiving God’s forgiveness.

To be forgiven of sins is to fully restore the love-relationship with God that had been broken. It means receiving eternal life and inheriting the everlasting kingdom of heaven. Now, in Christ, we stand boldly before the throne of grace and share fellowship of love, joy, and peace.

“Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.” (Romans 5:1–2)

In Mark 2:1–12, when Jesus saw people bringing a paralyzed man to Him, He saw their faith and declared forgiveness of sins. The paralyzed man represents Israel and all humanity, because every person desperately needs the grace of forgiveness.

People bring a paralyzed man to Jesus

A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home. They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them. Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them. Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on. (Mark 2:1–4)

Many people came to Jesus, listened to His teaching, and were healed. His fame spread quickly. When people heard He was at a house in Capernaum, huge crowds gathered. There was no room left at all. At that moment Jesus was teaching the gospel of the kingdom.

In that sea of people, His teaching came as a fresh, piercing word of truth that opened the mysteries of God’s kingdom. The Word who created heaven and earth became flesh and spoke directly into the hearts of the listeners. People were amazed because Jesus taught with authority and power (Mark 1:22).

This same word is the Bible we read every day. God has revealed His word through the prophets long ago. Themes of creation, fall, and restoration run through all of Scripture. We hear the unchanging voice of God’s love, promises of blessing for those who obey, and warnings and discipline for those who do not. Above all, through the sacrificial love of giving His own Son, God brought the light of salvation to countless people who were wandering in darkness.

At that moment, some men brought a paralyzed man to Jesus. But because of the crowd, they could not get near Him. Paralysis then was similar to what we call stroke today—a cerebrovascular condition caused by blockage or rupture of a vessel, resulting in paralysis and speech impairment.

Since they could not reach Jesus, they opened the roof above where He was and lowered the mat. Houses then were built differently, so making an opening was not as difficult as it would be today. Still, the act itself was bold and surprising. No matter what it took—even if it meant damaging someone’s roof—they had to bring the man to Jesus.

Why? Because this is what life is like. There are moments when friends, family, society, and wealth are no help at all. Everyone reaches such moments eventually, though many do not recognize it because their eyes are still blind. Life is not a picnic. After all our days are done, the day of reckoning comes before God, the Lord of all. Therefore, God calls everyone to come to Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28–30)

Child, Your Sins Are Forgiven

When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” (Mark 2:5)

Jesus saw their faith above everything else. What God looks for, in any circumstance, is that we come to Him by faith. What kind of faith? They believed Jesus could heal the paralyzed man. They didn’t know how it would be possible, but they believed that the Lord of love could do what they could not.

Abraham was counted righteous by faith. What did he believe in his situation? God promised that Abraham would become a great nation and that his name would be great. Yet he had no children. Then God took him outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars—if indeed you can count them. So shall your offspring be” (Genesis 15:5). “Abram believed the LORD, and he credited it to him as righteousness.” (Genesis 15:6)

“Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’” (Romans 4:18)

Jesus called the paralyzed man “son,” or “child,” referring to one chosen as a child of God, like Israel (Mark 7:27; 10:24).

Then Jesus declared, “Child, your sins are forgiven.” On what basis is forgiveness given? Faith. Believing in the Christ whom God sent is the way of salvation. Christ shed His blood and died for the sins of the world, and through His sacrifice He atoned for all sin. Jesus’ declaration of forgiveness pointed forward to His death on the cross. Forgiveness comes only through the blood of Christ.

Why must we receive the forgiveness of sins? Because sin blocks the way to God. When we cannot come to God, we have no true life, and we face eternal judgment. Few things are as painful as being abandoned like an orphan. If we do not receive forgiveness through the blood of Christ, we are cut off forever from the love of God. There is nothing more urgent than receiving the forgiveness of sins.

So why do we receive forgiveness by believing in Christ? Because salvation does not come from people but only from God. Human beings cannot save themselves; we are completely unable. So God gave his Son Jesus Christ as the sacrifice to redeem the sins of the world. Whoever trusts in this love of God receives the grace of forgiveness from now through eternity, overflowing without ceasing. From beginning to end, we enjoy God’s grace of forgiveness only through faith.

“For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life” (Romans 5:10).

And we don’t stop at simply receiving the forgiveness of sins. We go further by forgiving and loving our neighbors. God’s forgiveness isn’t a one-time event—it's something we need every day and every moment. Peter asked Jesus if he should forgive his brother up to seven times. Jesus answered that he should forgive “seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22). So we live by God’s merciful and gracious forgiveness, and by that same grace, we forgive our neighbors.

Who can forgive sins but God alone?

“Now some teachers of the law were sitting there, thinking to themselves, ‘Why does this fellow talk like that? He’s blaspheming! Who can forgive sins but God alone?’ Immediately Jesus knew in his spirit that this was what they were thinking in their hearts, and he said to them, ‘Why are you thinking these things? Which is easier: to say to this paralyzed man, “Your sins are forgiven,” or to say, “Get up, take your mat and walk”?’” (Mark 2:6-9)

The teachers of the law sitting there thought Jesus was committing blasphemy. They believed that no one could forgive sins except God alone. They did not believe that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. They did not believe in the Christ whom God had sent. That is the same as not believing in God. It makes no sense to say one believes in God while rejecting the Son he has sent.

There is no other way to receive forgiveness of sins except by faith. In the end, because they did not believe in God, they arrested Jesus, put him on trial, and sentenced him to death. Unbelief does not receive forgiveness, and it sets a person in opposition to God. Not believing God is the work of the evil one.

Jesus knew that there was no faith in their hearts, so he asked them a question: Which is easier, to tell the paralyzed man his sins are forgiven, or to tell him to get up, pick up his mat, and walk? He wasn’t asking for a verbal answer. He wanted them to think deeply.

For human beings, both are impossible. If we compare, maybe a doctor could treat paralysis under certain circumstances, but no one can forgive sins. Jesus wanted them to consider why forgiveness is necessary. He wanted them to look at why the God they claimed to serve sent his Son into the world, and how the works Jesus was doing were the works of God. They didn’t like that Jesus had suddenly appeared and was ministering throughout Judea and Galilee. They believed he violated the Sabbath commands given through Moses, so they resented him and plotted to kill him (John 11:47-53; Mark 3:6; Matthew 12:14; Luke 6:11).

But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.

“‘But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.’ So he said to the man, ‘I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.’ He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, ‘We have never seen anything like this!’” (Mark 2:10-12)

Jesus asked them that question so they would think first about why people need forgiveness, and then so they would know that the Son of Man, who came as the Son of God, has authority on earth to forgive sins. Jesus came to this earth as the Son of God (Mark 1:1). God has given the Son all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). Jesus is equal with God (Philippians 2:6).

Yet when he came to this earth, he revealed the authority and power of his Father by offering his own body as the living sacrifice (John 5:19). God forgives sins because Jesus Christ, his Son, redeemed the world’s sin with his own blood. When Jesus told the man to get up, take his mat, and go home, he got up and walked out. Everyone was amazed and gave glory to God. Jesus offered his body entirely to the Father to reveal the glory of God.

This is God blessing us. We offer our bodies to God as a living and holy sacrifice. God has given us neighbors: some who are ignorant of the gospel, some who don’t care at all, some busy with money and business, and some who are even hostile toward the gospel. Our lives are full of responsibilities, yet God has given us the grace to offer ourselves so that his glory may appear in the forgiveness of sins.

“Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God. This is your true and proper worship.” (Romans 12:1)

November 30, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the.

 

Job Curses the Day of His Birth (Job 3:1–26)

 

Job Curses the Day of His Birth (Job 3:1–26)

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16–17)

Scripture was written for people, and especially given as the truth that saves those who are in suffering. Job lost all his possessions, his children, and his health, yet he did not blame God (Job 1:22; 2:10). He confessed that God gives blessings and He also allows trouble. Job 3 expresses, in poetic language, the thoughts and emotions of his heart in unbearable pain. He cursed the day he was born and wished he could die.

Job Curses the Day of His Birth

After this, Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. He said: “May the day of my birth perish, and the night that said, ‘A boy is conceived!’ That day—may it turn to darkness; may God above not care about it; may no light shine on it. May gloom and utter darkness claim it once more; may a cloud settle over it; may blackness overwhelm it. That night—may thick darkness seize it; may it not be included among the days of the year nor be entered in any of the months.” (Job 3:1–6)

Job, in his suffering, cursed his own birthday. He thought that if he had never been born, he would not have had to endure such grief and devastation. He went even further and said that he wished he had never been conceived. Job did not accuse God. Instead, he cried out because he could no longer bear his situation. Is this wrong? No. Many Psalms pour out deep anguish and distress:

“My God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, but I find no rest.” (Psalm 22:2)

“My tears have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, ‘Where is your God?’” (Psalm 42:3)

“How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?” (Psalm 13:1–2)

“Because of your wrath there is no health in my body; there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.” (Psalm 38:3)

Of course, these are all from the beginning portions of the Psalms. Later in each psalm we see the writers turning to praise God’s help and His unfailing love.

We respond to pain and suffering. We cry, groan, and hurt. We lament and even express our struggles with our bodies and our words. Language is the way our thoughts and feelings come out. God made people in His image and His likeness, and one aspect of His image is communication through language.

Jesus also expressed His emotions. When He saw people trapped under the power of death and unaware of the power of the resurrection, He was moved and wept (John 11:34–35). Most of all, Jesus proclaimed truth with a gracious voice, rebuked when necessary, and even showed righteous anger. He did this to rescue people trapped in ignorance and darkness. Whoever hears His words and believes receives the gift of salvation.

“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:24)

However, Job’s words contain an error. Conception, birth, and death are not in human control. They belong entirely to God’s sovereign rule. God created all things and said that it was good. This means everything He made was accomplished according to His will and plan. God never regrets what He has done.

“He who is the Glory of Israel does not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind.” (1 Samuel 15:29)

Salvation also does not depend on the hands of people. By God’s sovereign grace we come into the salvation He gives. God desires all people—regardless of race, culture, or circumstance—to come to salvation. For this purpose He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, into the world and placed on Him the sins of all. God sacrificed His Son, offered the grace of Christ’s blood, and draws people to come to Him. Anyone who responds to God’s love receives forgiveness through the blood of Christ and receives eternal life as a gift (John 3:16).

My Eyes Have Seen Trouble

“May that night be barren; may no shout of joy be heard in it. May those who curse days curse that night, those who are ready to rouse Leviathan. May its morning stars become dark; may it wait for daylight in vain and not see the first rays of dawn, for it did not shut the doors of the womb on me to hide trouble from my eyes.” (Job 3:7-10)

Those who “curse days” refer to sailors in ancient myths. Leviathan means a sea monster or dragon, and it represents Satan (Job 41:1; Isaiah 27:1; Psalm 74:13–14). In myths, sailors believed Leviathan stirred up storms, so they cursed him with all their strength. In the same way, Job wished the day of his birth would be cursed.

Job said that if he had never been born, he would never have seen all this suffering. Is that true? It is true that a person who never exists has no pain. But we do not have the power to decide our own existence or death. So Job’s thought cannot stand. This simply shows how unbearable his pain was.

Job’s mistake is often ours. When facing unbearable suffering, we also think, “It would have been better if I had never been born.” Or we look at others who seem to live comfortably and wonder why we alone suffer.

“But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold. For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.” (Psalm 73:2–3)

If I Had Died, I Would Be at Rest

 “Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb? Why were there knees to receive me and breasts that I might be nursed? For now I would be lying down in peace; I would be asleep and at rest with kings and rulers of the earth, who built for themselves places now lying in ruins, with princes who had gold, who filled their houses with silver. Or why was I not hidden away in the ground like a stillborn child, like an infant who never saw the light of day?” (Job 3:11-16)

Job lamented that he did not die at birth. If he had died, he believed he would be lying in peace, resting with kings and rulers, and would be like a stillborn child who never saw the light and did not exist. There is much we do not know about what happens right after death—especially for infants who die at birth. But one thing is clear: human existence does not end with death.

We do not remain asleep after death. All people will rise again. Those redeemed by Christ will be changed “in a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet” (1 Corinthians 15:51), receiving a resurrection body that never decays (2 Corinthians 5:1–4). But those who do not believe will rise to face God’s eternal judgment (John 5:29).

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17)

Why Give Light to Those Who Suffer?

“There the wicked cease from turmoil, and there the weary are at rest. Captives also enjoy their ease; they no longer hear the slave driver’s shout. The small and the great are there, and the slaves are freed from their owners. Why is light given to those in misery, and life to the bitter of soul, to those who long for death that does not come, who search for it more than for hidden treasure, who are filled with gladness and rejoice when they reach the grave? Why is life given to a man whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in? For sighing has become my daily food; my groans pour out like water. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil.” (Job 3:17-26)

Job said that because of his suffering, he sighed even in front of food. He had no peace, no quietness, no rest—only trouble. He wanted to die but could not. Yet he believed that if he died, he would rejoice when reaching the grave. When people face deep suffering, they often feel exactly as Job did.

But death is not the solution that ends everything. “People are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). God judges each one according to what they have done. For the wicked, there is trouble, distress, and the punishment of hell. But those who do good may suffer briefly in this world, yet they will receive rest, peace, and the glorious reward of heaven (Romans 2:6–8).

Today is Thanksgiving. The life, peace, and rest we enjoy come entirely from God’s grace. So we offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, because through Christ’s blood all our sins are forgiven, and we now share in the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

With this hope, we daily receive the life God gives as we “eat his flesh and drink his blood” (John 6:53)—meaning we follow the way of Christ’s cross. The cross of Christ is the only path leading to resurrection life. Remembering and holding to this truth confirms that we now belong to God the Father and to Jesus Christ as His children.

Amen!

November 23, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the.

 

God Gives Blessings and Brings Trouble (Job 2:1–13)

 

God Gives Blessings and Brings Trouble (Job 2:1–13)

No one likes suffering. Yet no one is completely free from it. Job lost all his possessions and children, and now his entire body was covered with painful sores. In Job 2, although he suffered the merciless attacks of Satan, Job confessed that God gives blessings, and He also brings trouble. Satan’s claim—that if visible blessings are removed, a believer will inevitably curse God—was a lie. God has already given every believer the hope of the heavenly kingdom, whose glory and honor cannot be compared with anything in this world.

Satan Again Tests Job

1 On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him. 2 And the Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Satan answered the Lord, “From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it.” 3 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” (Job 2:1–3)

This scene is very similar to chapter 1. It is, of course, an event taking place in heaven. Why does God continue to allow Satan to stand before Him? Even after Satan struck Job so mercilessly, why does God not remove him? It is because God’s appointed time has not yet come, and because evil has already entered the human heart. Yet in every situation, God’s justice, truth, and love remain completely perfect and holy.

It is true that we are limited in our ability to explain all of this. But at minimum, we know this: Satan can never cross the boundary God has set. And God, who is all-knowing and all-powerful, knows all things—including the limits of what Job can endure.

There is also one more truth: before God, there is no such thing as a death that is unfair or a situation that is truly unjust. This world is filled with corruption, injustice, and systems tilted away from transparency and fairness. But God cannot be deceived. He will judge everyone according to what they have done, good or evil (Romans 2:6). His judgment is just, righteous, and holy.

36 But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. 37 For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36–37)

Jesus also taught His disciples not to fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul, but to fear the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell (Matthew 10:28). After Job’s time of testing was complete, God blessed him and restored everything twofold (Job 42:10).

Satan stood before God as if nothing had happened. His response was the same as before—“roaming throughout the earth.” Even though Satan had incited God to strike Job without reason, Job still held firmly to his integrity and did not blame God.

Satan’s lie was exposed, and he was defeated. Yet he did not repent. This is the nature of sin. Though God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all sin, and though sinners receive the due penalty for their wrongdoing, the world does not repent but continues to sin (Romans 1:32). Therefore, trouble and distress continue (Romans 2:9). But those who repent and turn back through discipline will bear the peaceful fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:11).

Satan Lies Again

4 “Skin for skin!” Satan replied. “A man will give all he has for his own life. 5 But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 2:4–5)

Although his previous lie had already been exposed, Satan refused to submit to God and again raised objections with another lie. “Skin for skin” means that a person may give up possessions, but not his own life. So Satan confidently claimed that if God struck Job’s flesh and bones, he would surely curse God.

Satan, though a spiritual being who has seen the glory of God, did not believe and would not trust Him. Not only did he refuse to believe, he rebelled and sought to exalt himself above God’s authority (Isaiah 14:13). Jesus said that Satan was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44).

Jesus rebuked the Pharisees, teachers of the law, and Jewish leaders, saying that they belonged to their father, the devil (John 8:44). They acted just as the devil desired—rejecting Jesus, the Messiah sent by God, arresting Him, condemning Him to death, and handing Him over to Pilate to be crucified.

Therefore, those who do not stand on God’s truth but act according to their own desires are following the devil. This is what it means to live according to the flesh. Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on what the flesh desires, and the mind governed by the flesh is death (Romans 8:5–6).

“The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.” (Romans 8:7–8)

Haman in the book of Esther is a clear example of someone who belonged to the flesh. He had been elevated by the king to the highest position under him, yet he was furious because Mordecai refused to bow down to him. Eventually, he plotted to kill all the Jews in the Persian Empire, including Mordecai.

One day, the king asked Haman, “What should be done for the man the king delights to honor?” Haman assumed the king meant him, so he suggested dressing that man in a royal robe, placing a crown on his head, and having him ride on the horse the king himself rode as someone led him through the city streets proclaiming his honor (Esther 6:8–9). Then the king commanded Haman to do exactly what he had said—for Mordecai. Haman hid his anger and carried out the king’s order, parading Mordecai through the city. This is what a person of the flesh looks like.

God allows Satan to strike Job

“The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’” (Job 2:6)

God placed Job in Satan’s hands. Satan could strike his bones and flesh but could not touch his life. God allowed this because He knew Satan’s lies would be exposed and because He knew what Job could endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). Through this, God wanted to reveal the secrets of heaven to him.

Why must human beings go through suffering and pain? It is because of God’s love and grace. After Adam fell into sin through Satan’s deception, God told him he would have to toil for food by the sweat of his brow and eventually return to the dust (Genesis 3:19). To the woman, He increased the pains of childbearing and said her desire would be for her husband and he would rule over her (Genesis 3:16).

This is not a curse but a merciful prescription for restoring humanity from its fall. Humans forget most things, but painful experiences are remembered for a long time—especially failures and wounds.

Sin says that a person can live without God. Through suffering and hardship, God leads us into the truth that we can do nothing by ourselves. This is the truth of the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we can do nothing, it is as if we die. But when we die by faith—self-denial—God raises us again by His resurrection power. Therefore, while we cannot do anything on our own, we can do all things through the strength and authority of Christ (Philippians 4:13).

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)

Satan strikes Job’s bones and flesh, but Job does not sin

“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!’ He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:7–10)

Satan struck Job until painful sores covered his entire body. The pain was unbearable. Job sat among the ashes scraping himself with broken pottery. Satan’s cruelty was once again exposed before the whole world. Job’s suffering reached rock bottom. His wife, unable to watch any longer, lashed out at him and told him to curse God and die.

But even in that misery, Job rebuked her as a foolish woman. He said that since they had received good from God, they should also accept trouble. In all of this, Job did not sin against God. Once again, Satan’s lies were exposed. Satan always ends up defeated.

Job confessed that God gives both blessing and trouble. God’s blessing is pure grace, for we do not deserve anything from Him (Ephesians 2:8–9). God gives endless blessings to those who believe and obey, including the inheritance of the kingdom of heaven.

At the same time, God also gives trouble. If blessing is grace, trouble is also grace. In truth, people deserve trouble more than blessing, for all have sinned. Yet here, trouble refers to God’s holy discipline—His refining work. Through this painful process, He shapes us into people who are fit to stand before Him.

“These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:7)

Job’s friends come to comfort him

“When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him. When they saw him from a distance, they could hardly recognize him; they began to weep aloud, and they tore their robes and sprinkled dust on their heads. Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was.” (Job 2:11–13)

Job’s three friends were overwhelmed when they saw him—he was almost unrecognizable. They cried out, tore their robes, and threw dust on their heads. For seven days and nights, they sat on the ground with him without speaking, because his suffering was so severe. They were stunned into silence.

People lose words in the face of sorrow and tragedy. But this kind of misery is happening all around the world even today.

Therefore, our hope is not in this world. Not in wealth, health, or success. Our only hope is the eternal kingdom of God. Amen! Holding on to that hope, we endure present suffering and pain with patience.

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

November 16, 2025

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2025, David Lee Ministries ©2025 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.