God is in Charge: Hupomone

WORSHIP
Suggested Worship Songs:
Hark the Herald, You are Good, Today is the Day, Joy to the World
WELCOME
Face Sketches. Find a partner. On a piece of paper, draw what you think your partner is feeling. Share and
compare.
WORD
James 5:10-11
As an example of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those
blessed who endured. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lords
dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.
The Book of Job
There is more to the book of Job than just a story
of pain and suffering. When we look at it from a
divine lens, we will see Gods love, mercy and full
compassion amidst Jobs misery. We can learn
from the hupomone of Job.
Hupomone is an attitude of perseverance, trust, and
positive anticipation about what God can and will
do in the midst of suffering. It is not resignation,
fatalism, or surrendering without a choice.
The Bible does not deny the reality of pain and
suffering but it teaches us hupomone to keep
glorifying God in the midst of suffering. It is
looking forward to Gods greater plan while
enduring at the moment.
We do not live by explanation but we must believe
that God is in charge, so we need to hupomone.
The Prosperity of Job (Job 1:1-6)
Job was a family man - blameless, prayerful,
upright, God-fearing and obedient to God. He was
also very successful and prosperous. He was
probably the wealthiest man of his time with a
happy family and a very good fortune.
The Pain & Suffering of Job (Job 1:7-22)
Satan told God that Job is good only because God
was protecting him. Take away Gods protection
and Job would curse Gods name. God knew
Satans plans. He allowed Satan to test Job.
However, the devil did not have any power against
Job except through Gods permission. Everything
was according to Gods terms.
There is a spiritual dimension that is more real
than you can imagine. The Bible makes no apology
for the reality of Satan. He is a real adversary who
will someday be locked up in hell. But in the
meantime, he is roaming around the earth, seeking
to devour (1 Peter 5:8). The Bible warns us not to
give him the opportunity to encroach into our life.
Your trials and suffering are probably nothing
compared to Jobs. He lost everything he had -
livelihood, properties, investments, including his
children. To top it off, Job was also inflicted with a
dreadful disease. God may temporarily lift His
hedge of protection around us, like what He did
with Job to accomplish His purpose. But through it
all, God is still in control.
Jobs Response
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame
God. Job 1:22
Job knew God. He acknowledged that God owns
everything and has the right to take it all back
(Job1:20-21). He did not yet know why everything
had to happen, but he refused to blame God.
When we cannot understand why things happen
as they happen, lets park our conclusion under a
suspense file, a mental file of things that we
cannot understand at the moment but which we
know God is already using for a purpose. For the
meantime, we dont run away from God, blame the
situation or condemn people.
God finally answered Jobs questions to let him
realize who He is and what He has done in the
context of His entire creation.
December 15, 2013
Vol. 13, No. 50

WORD (contd)
Gods purpose is for Job to grow more spiritually,
to let Job see Him face to face. Job, in his personal
encounter with God, learned humility and
realized that God is God and He is sovereign
above all creations. Nothing can thwart His plans
(Job 42:1-2, 5-6). Job also learned to forgive his
friends who had prejudged him. When he prayed
for his friends, God increased all that he had in the
beginning by twofold (42:10).
Gods purpose for Job is not just to bless him
materially, but most importantly for Job to know
Him more. As a result of trial and suffering, Job
developed greater intimacy with God.
Your Response
The Bible does not make an excuse about the
reality of suffering and pain. Problems and trials
are inevitable, but what makes the difference is
your response to the situations. Do not focus on
the suffering, but on the love of God.
God so loved you that He let Jesus suffer for you.
When you know Jesus in a personal way, you will
begin to understand that the greatest suffering of
Jesus became the greatest blessing of eternal life
for you and all who believe in Him.

Discussion Questions:
(Leaders: Please choose questions that are appropriate to the level of spiritual maturity of your members)
1. The Best is Yet to Come. According to James 5:10-11, what is the outcome of hupomone in the light of
Jobs suffering?
2. The Job Moment. Have you ever prayed this prayer, Naked I came from my mothers womb, and naked I
shall return there. The Lord gives, the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord? If yes, share
your story. If not, what do you think makes it difficult to be able to pray this prayer?
3. Prayer Revolution. Observe the motives of your prayer. Are they transactional (e.g. You will obey if God
answered your prayer)? What radical changes in your prayer would you surrender to God to
revolutionize your prayer life?
WORKS
What if
What are your greatest blessings ever? Write them
down.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
What if God took away any or all of them? How
would you respond?
Weekly Prayer Points
I. Thanksgiving
Worship God for Who He is, what He has
done, and what He will do in our lives
II. Country and the World
Upright and moral governance of Public
Servants and a God-centered Philippines
Repentance and Salvation
III. Church
That CCF Members would honor and love God
and make disciples
Elders, Pastors, Leaders, and Families
Ministries and Churches worldwide
IV. CCF Facilities
New Worship and Training Center
Prayer Mountain
V. Personal Concerns
Deeper intimate relationship with God
Righteous living
Salvation of family and friends