February 26: “Job & His Friends: Wrestling with Suffering” (Job 16:9-21 & 19:23-27)

Three of Job’s friends come to comfort Job in his suffering. But all three of them think that Job is suffering because of his sin. Their reasoning is simple: God sends calamities upon the wicked only. You have suffered calamity, therefore you must be wicked. But Job insists upon his innocence. As he talks with his friends, Job gradually comes to two realizations: First, there must be a mediator between God and himself. Second, God will redeem Job from death. Our suffering can be redeemed if there is a mediator and a redeemer. Our suffering can be redeemed only through Jesus Christ.