I haven’t really been keeping up with podcasts lately, but was informed today that John Piper is speaking on Job and suffering at the DG 2008 Regional Conference, and whenever John Piper has something to say on suffering, I must make time for it. I have plenty of clothes to fold tonight anyway, and can try my best to get creative with when to listen to other messages in the series, so it just might work out.

Here are 10 reasons Piper is speaking on this text and topic:

1. Hundreds of you have suffered or are suffering and are looking for light in your darkness.

2. Suffering is coming. For sure. Basic discipleship means tribulations.

3. Persecution, disease, war, disability, disaster, freak accident, assault—all are alike in this: Satan aims to destroy your faith, but God aims to strengthen it.

4. Natural disasters put theodicy in the news: tsunami, Katrina, flooding, tornadoes, avalanches.

5. God is rejected by many because of the suffering in the world.

6. There are Christians who openly question the sovereignty of God over all suffering.

7. God’s wise, good, just, absolute sovereignty is pastorally precious beyond measure. Being able to say, “Satan meant it for evil, but God…” gives hope and strength. Nothing is wasted. Nothing surprises God.

8. Suffering is appointed as one way the Gospel is spread.

9. The supreme value and glory and admirableness of Christ is shown most clearly when Christians treasure Christ more than they treasure what they’re losing—health, wealth, family, or life.

10. Job is the main book in the Bible dealing with suffering. It can help us in all these ways.

(HT: DG)