The Trouble with Trouble

Job 14:1-2

INTRODUCTION: If any man understood troubles, it was Job. At one point he exclaimed, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble” (Job 14:1). In other words, life is short and overflowing with troubles. Though we know this about life, we still seem to be surprised when troubles appear. We continually allow troubles to get the best of us. Instead of the old adage, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me,” we are continually duped.

I. TROUBLE APPEARS WITHOUT BIAS

A. Regardless of Person (Job 1:1, 8)

1. Job was perfect and upright (Job 1:1).
2. Job feared God and eschewed evil (Job 1:1).
3. Job was unique in these virtues (Job 1:8).

B. Regardless of Time

1. Trouble comes without warning (Job 1:4-5,13)
a. In days of feasting (Job 1:4-5, 13)
b. In days of sacrifice (Job 1:5)
2. Trouble comes without mercy – “there was a day” (Job 1:6, 13; Job 2:1)
a. A day in heaven (Job 1:6-12)
b. A day on earth (Job 1:13-19) – “While he was yet speaking” (Job 1:16, 17, 18)
1.) Oxen and asses taken and servants slain (Job 1:13-15)
2.) Sheep and servants burned (Job 1:16)
3.) Camels taken and servants slain (Job 1:17)
4.) Children smitten by falling house (Job 1:19)
c. A day in heaven (Job 2:1-6)
d. A day on earth (Job 2:7-8) – Job’s health attacked

II. TROUBLE ATTRACTS COMPANIONS

A. The Comfort of Job’s Wife (Job 2:9-10)

1. The encouragement to curse God (Job 2:9)
2. The request for Job’s death (Job 2:9)

B. The Comfort of Job’s Friends (Job 2:11-13)

1. Their purpose (Job 2:11)
2. Their mourning (Job 2:12)
3. Their silence (Job 2:13)
4. Their speeches (Job 4-Job 31)
5. Their success (Job 16:2; Job 42:7)
a. According to Job – “miserable comforters are ye all” (Job 16:2) and “ye are all physicians of no value” (Job 13:4)
b. According to God – “ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right” (Job 42:7)

III. TROUBLE AFFECTS ENTIRELY

A. Our Mental Well-Being

1. Job cursed the day of his birth (Job 3:1-19; Job 10:18-19).
2. Job desired to die (Job 3:20-26; Job 6:8-9; Job 7:15).
3. Job became confused and paranoid (Job 10:15-16).
4. Job assumed he would have made a superior comforter (Job 16:4-5).
5. Job assumed his best days were behind him (Job 29:2-25).
6. Job assumed his worst days were at hand and unjustly so (Job 30:1-31).

B. Our Emotional Well-Being

1. Job experienced extreme grief (Job 6:2-3).
2. Job experienced “months of vanity, and wearisome nights” (Job 7:3).
3. Job was prone to weeping (Job 16:16).
4. Job felt estranged from all he loved (Job 19:13-19).
5. Job feared constantly (Job 21:6).

C. Our Physical Well-Being

1. Job experienced sleepless nights (Job 7:4, 13-14).
2. Job felt as though he had been poured out as milk (Job 10:10).
3. Job’s wrinkles increased and he lost weight (Job 16:8).
4. Job’s bones and nerves were disturbed (Job 30:17).

IV. TROUBLE AFFIRMS MAN’S NEED

A. To Endure Hardness

1. Job did not always get victory over his afflictions. In fact, he probably had more defeats than victories.
2. He did not, however, quit. His refusal to quit sustained him til the blessings returned.

B. To Wrestle with God

1. Job did not always see himself as God saw him.
2. Job did not always see the righteousness of God in his trials.
3. However, Job continually desired to know God and trust God.

CONCLUSION: Troubles abound. So-called solutions exist. However, the only true and lasting solution to depression, distress, bitterness, etc. is a confrontation with God.