Heavenly War on Earth: the Battle Begins

For years I avoided the message of Job.  Aside from the first impressive two chapters, the message was too long, confusing, and full of suffering.  Who wants to talk of suffering?  of despair?  of anguish?  of evil?  Job raises the hard questions of life: How could a good God allow a good man to suffer?  Is it possible for a man to love God unconditionally?  Is there any reason for the unexplained evil in the world that God created?  The book of Job speaks to the deepest "why" questions of life.

Obviously, I am not suggesting that simplistic answers can answer all our questions.  But for a few weeks I hope that we can dare to ask the hard questions, and see how God will answer us.  Today we will try to establish the context for what is a very real spiritual struggle around the question, "Can a man love God sincerely and freely?"  The focus is upon Job, but the question applies to you and me.  Do we love God for love or for what we get from Him?  PROPOSITION: Trials reveal true love and trust.