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Job

When Rebuke and Resistance Collide

Job’s third friend, Zophar, assaults Job in his grief-stricken state with incorrect accusations. Zophar’s pride blinds him into believing Job knows nothing of God’s character.

Listen to Pastor Chuck Swindoll talk about the traps of arrogance, legalism, and insensitivity (Job 11–14). Watch as Job refuses to fall under Zophar’s legalistic requirements.

Examine Job’s pleas to God as he seeks to know Him more deeply. Understand that you are accountable to God for your life and faith—and not to human-based dictates. Trust Him!

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Graceless Words for a Grieving Man

Job desperately needed grace-filled words from his family and friends. The absence of grace might have hurt Job the most.

In this message, encounter the second round of condemning reminders from Eliphaz to Job (Job 15–17). Pastor Chuck Swindoll expounds on Job’s despondent spirit and the necessity of grace.

God develops a unique faith in the seasons when fog clouds everything, and you cannot sense His presence. Lean into His sustaining, amazing grace, especially through the uncertainty.

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Reassuring Hope for the Assaulted and Abused

In Job 18–19, Bildad seeks to infuse fear into Job by focusing on the terrors of death. Job courageously responds, “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last” (Job 19:25).

Pastor Chuck Swindoll presents lasting lessons on suffering, hope, and the assurance of salvation.

Discover how to reprove another individual at the right time and in the right way. More importantly, encounter the Redeemer Job predicted many years prior to His actual arrival!

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The Mystery of God’s Will

Have you ever wondered if you are living within the will of God? Despite its complexity, Scripture still offers a lot of clarity about knowing and doing God’s will.

Join Pastor Chuck Swindoll for an inspiring series on the will of God.

Learn how to think theologically, make wise decisions, and walk obediently. And ultimately remember that God uses all things for your good and His glory!


Understanding the will of God is one of the most complex yet essential pursuits of the Christian life. In this 11-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll moves beyond simple formulas to explore the deep, and often mysterious, nature of how God directs our lives. By distinguishing between God’s sovereign, decreed will and His permissive will, Chuck provides a theological framework that helps believers make wise decisions, handle closed doors, and trust in God’s unchanging character even when His path seems unclear.

Message 1. Foundational Principles about God’s Will

  • Overview: Introduces the three aspects of God’s will: His decreed will (what He makes happen), His perceptive will (what He reveals in Scripture), and His permissive will (what He allows).
  • Key Fact: Understanding these distinctions prevents us from blaming God for human sin while still resting in His ultimate control.
  • Scripture: Ephesians 1:11 – “In Him also we have obtained an inheritance… according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will.”

Message 2. Moving from Theory to Reality

  • Overview: Addresses the frustration of waiting. Chuck explores how we bridge the gap between knowing God has a plan in theory and experiencing it in the “messy” reality of daily life.
  • Key Fact: God’s will is rarely a straight line; it often involves “holding patterns” designed to develop our character and patience.
  • Scripture: Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and let your heart take courage; yes, wait for the Lord.”

Message 3. Fleshing Out the Will of God

  • Overview: Focuses on the “revealed” will of God in Scripture. Before seeking “secret” guidance, we must be obedient to what God has already clearly commanded.
  • Key Fact: God is unlikely to reveal the “unknown” parts of His will if we are ignoring the “known” parts found in the Bible.
  • Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 4:3 – “For this is the will of God, your sanctification.”

Message 4. Another Deep Mystery: God’s Sovereignty

  • Overview: A deep dive into the absolute authority of God. Chuck explains that because God is sovereign, nothing is an accident, even the events that cause us pain.
  • Key Fact: Sovereignty is the “cushion” for our hearts in times of crisis; it means God has the final word over every circumstance.
  • Scripture: Psalm 115:3 – “But our God is in the heavens; He does whatever He pleases.”

Message 5. Reading God’s Mysterious Lips

  • Overview: Discusses how to discern God’s leading through circumstances, inner peace, and the counsel of others. It warns against “fleece-setting” and encourages a mature use of wisdom.
  • Key Fact: Discernment is a process of “reading” how God’s Spirit aligns with His Word and our current opportunities.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 3:5–6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart… and He will make your paths straight.”

Message 6. The Magnificent ”Chesed” of God

  • Overview: Explores the Hebrew concept of Chesed—God’s loyal, steadfast, loving-kindness. This attribute is the “safety net” that ensures God’s will is always motivated by love.
  • Key Fact: No matter how difficult God’s will may seem, it is always an expression of His “loyal love” toward His children.
  • Scripture: Psalm 136:1 – “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His lovingkindness (Chesed) is everlasting.”

Message 7. God’s Mysterious Immutability

  • Overview: Addresses the “unchanging” nature of God. Because God does not change His mind, His character, or His purposes, His will is a stable foundation.
  • Key Fact: God’s immutability means His promises are just as reliable today as they were when they were first written.
  • Scripture: Malachi 3:6 – “For I, the Lord, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.”

Message 8. Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?

  • Overview: Explains that the primary objective of God’s will is not our comfort, but our sanctification. God uses the “tough stuff” to mold us into the image of Christ.
  • Key Fact: Our holiness is more important to God than our happiness; His will is designed to produce spiritual fruit.
  • Scripture: 1 Peter 1:15 – “But like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior.”

Message 9. Surprised by God

  • Overview: Discusses the “unpredictability” of God’s timing. Just when we think we have Him figured out, He often does something completely unexpected.
  • Key Fact: Being “surprised” by God keeps us from becoming self-sufficient and forces us to stay in a posture of constant dependence.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 55:8 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways.”

Message 10. Closed Doors, Open Doors

  • Overview: A practical look at how to interpret opportunities. Chuck provides wisdom for when God says “No” and how to handle the frustration of a closed door.
  • Key Fact: A closed door is just as much a part of God’s will as an open one; it is His way of protecting us from paths that aren’t His best.
  • Scripture: Revelation 3:8 – “I have put before you an open door which no one can shut.”

Message 11. A Better Way to Look at God’s Will

  • Overview: The series concludes by moving from a “dot” mentality (finding the one exact spot) to a “relationship” mentality (walking with the Shepherd).
  • Key Fact: God’s will is less about a destination and more about the Person you are walking with along the journey.
  • Scripture: Psalm 23:3 – “He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.”

Common Questions: The Mystery of God’s Will

1. How do I know if I’m in God’s “permissive” will or His “decreed” will? In “Foundational Principles,” Pastor Chuck explains that we often only see this in hindsight. God’s decreed will is what He makes happen (sovereignty), while His permissive will involves the things He allows—including human choices. The key is to stay obedient to His revealed will (the Bible).

2. Why does God close doors that seem “good” for me? The message “Closed Doors, Open Doors” suggests that God sees a much larger picture. A door might be closed because the timing isn’t right, because it would lead to a spiritual detour, or because He has something better prepared that requires you to wait.

3. Is it okay to “lay out a fleece” to find God’s will? Chuck cautions against this in “Reading God’s Mysterious Lips.” While Gideon did it, he did it out of doubt, not faith. A more mature way to find God’s will is through the “triangulation” of Scripture, godly counsel, and the internal peace of the Holy Spirit.

4. If God’s will is for me to be “holy,” why is it so painful? As discussed in “Can God’s Will Make Us Holy?”, holiness often requires the “pruning” of our old habits and selfish desires. The pain is not intended to hurt us, but to “refine” us, like gold in a furnace.

5. How can I find God’s will for my career or marriage? The series conclusion, “A Better Way to Look at God’s Will,” suggests that if you are walking in a close relationship with Christ and obeying His Word, you have a lot of freedom to make choices. God’s will isn’t a “tightrope” where one wrong step ruins everything; it’s a “pathway” where the Shepherd guides those who follow Him.

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Clinging to Hope

All of us are in desperate need of strength to endure and hope to carry on. Life is difficult and demanding. It’s often filled with pain, heartaches, setbacks, and detours.

In Clinging to Hope, Pastor Chuck Swindoll reassures us that we can endure disappointments and even those unexpected calamities. How? By taking our stand on the strong foundation of God’s Word.

When trials and tribulations rumble in like a fleet of bulldozers to demolish our lives, we can emerge from the rubble with a strong resolve to recover and rebuild. Not just to survive, but to thrive!

For a limited time, download the first chapter of Clinging to Hope for free.

Life is often filled with pain, heartaches, and unexpected detours. In this 12-part series, Pastor Chuck Swindoll provides the biblical tools needed to endure and even thrive in the midst of adversity. By anchoring ourselves to the strong foundation of God’s Word, we can face “bulldozing” trials with a resolve to recover and rebuild. This series explores how suffering, when handled well, becomes the very thing that fosters spiritual maturity and deepens our reliance on God’s grace.

Message 1: When Troubles Come and Stay

Message Overview: Some trials are not temporary visitors but long-term residents. This message addresses the unique challenge of “staying” troubles—chronic illnesses, difficult relationships, or ongoing financial strain—and how to maintain a perspective of hope when relief seems far away.

Key Facts:

  • Nature of Trials: Troubles are often uninvited, unexpected, and can be prolonged.
  • The Response: Shifting from asking “Why?” to asking “How can I honor God in this?”
  • Divine Presence: God is as present in the long-term struggle as He is in the sudden miracle.

Scripture References: Psalm 34:17–19; 1 Peter 4:12–13

Message 2: When Suffering Leaves Its Mark

Message Overview: Suffering often leaves “scars”—emotional, physical, or spiritual. This message explores how to process the permanent changes that adversity brings, finding beauty and purpose in the marks of our struggles rather than hiding them in shame.

Key Facts:

  • The Reality of Scars: Life’s battles often leave lasting impacts that change our trajectory.
  • Redemption: God uses our “woundedness” to make us more compassionate and effective ministers to others.
  • Focus: Looking at Christ’s scars as the ultimate proof that God understands our pain.

Scripture References: Galatians 6:17; John 20:24–29

Message 3: When God Heals Body and Soul

Message Overview: This message looks at the multifaceted nature of healing. While we often pray for physical restoration, the Spirit frequently works on the “deeper healing” of the soul, addressing bitterness, guilt, and spiritual brokenness.

Key Facts:

  • Holistic Healing: God is interested in the whole person—mind, body, and spirit.
  • Sovereignty in Healing: Recognizing that God heals in His own way and timing, sometimes physically and sometimes through the gift of sufficient grace.
  • Spiritual Health: A healthy soul can endure a failing body.

Scripture References: Psalm 103:1–5; 3 John 1:2

Message 4: When Unexpected Tests Rattle Our World

Message Overview: Life can change in an instant. This message focuses on the “pop quizzes” of life—sudden crises that test the foundation of our faith—and how to lean on the unchanging nature of God when everything else is shaking.

Key Facts:

  • The Element of Surprise: Tests often come when we feel most secure.
  • The Foundation: A life built on the Word of God is the only one that remains standing after the storm.
  • Stability: Finding our “center of gravity” in the promises of Scripture.

Scripture References: Matthew 7:24–27; James 1:2–4

Message 5: When Calamity Crashes In

Message Overview: Calamity is more than just a trial; it is a overwhelming disaster. This message provides a biblical roadmap for surviving the initial “crash” of tragedy, focusing on immediate reliance on God’s mercy and the support of the Christian community.

Key Facts:

  • Immediate Response: In moments of calamity, we must “run to the Tower” (God’s Name).
  • The Role of Lament: It is biblical and healthy to cry out to God in honest grief.
  • God as Refuge: He is a very present help in times of trouble.

Scripture References: Psalm 46:1–3; Proverbs 18:10

Message 6: When God Gives Grace to Endure

Message Overview: Endurance is not just “gritting your teeth”; it is a supernatural gift. This message explores how God provides the specific strength needed to stay under the weight of a heavy trial without breaking.

Key Facts:

  • Definition of Endurance: Remaining under pressure with a God-honoring attitude.
  • Source of Strength: Grace is not just for salvation; it is for daily sustaining.
  • The Result: Endurance produces character, and character produces hope.

Scripture References: Romans 5:3–5; 2 Corinthians 12:9

Message 7: When the Giants of Life Attack

Message Overview: Using the metaphor of Goliath, this message addresses the intimidating obstacles that seem impossible to overcome. It encourages believers to face their “giants” not with human bravado, but with the confidence that the battle belongs to the Lord.

Key Facts:

  • Intimidation Tactics: Giants seek to paralyze us with fear and doubt.
  • Divine Perspective: Compared to our problems, the giants are huge; compared to God, they are small.
  • The Weaponry: Faith, prayer, and the Word are more effective than any worldly armor.

Scripture References: 1 Samuel 17:45–47; Ephesians 6:10–18

Message 8: When Thorns Rip Our Pride

Message Overview: Sometimes God allows “thorns”—painful, nagging limitations—to keep us humble and dependent. This message teaches how to accept these irritants as tools of divine refinement rather than just nuisances to be removed.

Key Facts:

  • Purpose of the Thorn: To prevent spiritual pride and foster total dependence on God.
  • The Answer to Prayer: Sometimes God says “no” to the removal of the thorn but “yes” to more grace.
  • Power in Weakness: When we are weak, then we are truly strong in Christ.

Scripture References: 2 Corinthians 12:7–10

Message 9: When God’s Discipline Strikes

Message Overview: Discipline is a proof of God’s love, not His rejection. This message distinguishes between punishment and training, showing how a believer can respond to God’s correcting hand with a heart of hope and repentance.

Key Facts:

  • The Motive: God disciplines those He loves as a father does his child.
  • The Goal: To share in His holiness and produce a harvest of righteousness.
  • The Response: Do not despise the discipline or lose heart when rebuked.

Scripture References: Hebrews 12:5–11; Psalm 119:67, 71

Message 10: When Doors Slam Shut

Message Overview: Closed doors can be as frustrating as they are confusing. This message explores how to handle rejection and redirected plans, trusting that God’s “no” is often a redirection to a better “yes” in the future.

Key Facts:

  • Sovereign Redirection: God closes doors to protect us or to lead us to a better path.
  • The Danger of Forcing Doors: Attempting to manipulate circumstances leads to frustration and failure.
  • Trusting the Key-Holder: Jesus holds the keys; what He shuts, no one can open.

Scripture References: Revelation 3:7–8; Acts 16:6–10

Message 11: When Solitude Drives Us Deeper

Message Overview: Adversity often brings seasons of isolation. This message looks at the value of “wilderness experiences,” showing how solitude can become a sanctuary where we hear God’s voice more clearly than in the noise of prosperity.

Key Facts:

  • The Desert School: Many of God’s greatest servants were prepared in solitude (Moses, Elijah, Paul).
  • Depth over Surface: Solitude strips away distractions and forces us to deal with our inner selves.
  • The Intimacy: Finding that God is “enough” when everything else is stripped away.

Scripture References: Matthew 4:1–11; Galatians 1:15–18

Message 12: When Adversity Leads to Humility

Message Overview: The final message in the series focuses on the ultimate fruit of a hopeful heart: humility. True hope doesn’t demand its own way; it humbles itself under the mighty hand of God, trusting that He will exalt us in due time.

Key Facts:

  • The Posture: Humility is the proper response to God’s sovereignty in suffering.
  • The Promise: God gives grace to the humble but opposes the proud.
  • Final Hope: Casting all our anxieties on Him because He cares for us.

Scripture References: 1 Peter 5:6–7; James 4:6, 10

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God’s Masterwork, Volume Three

Have you ever needed wisdom? Ever longed for a calming word during trying times? Have you ever worried about the future?

When issues like these arise, Chuck Swindoll reminds us of the best place to turn—God’s Word. In this informative and practical series, covering the books of Job through Daniel, Chuck guides us through the Wisdom Books, the Psalms, and the Major Prophets to help us answer the pressing questions of our day.


In this third volume of the God’s Masterwork survey, Pastor Chuck Swindoll explores the Wisdom Books and the Major Prophets (Job through Daniel). This section of the Old Testament provides a deep dive into the human experience—wrestling with suffering, expressing profound worship, seeking practical wisdom, and understanding God’s sovereign control over history. Through these books, we find that God is not only the Architect of the universe but the intimate Companion of those who walk through the dark valleys of life.

Message 1. Job: Magnificent Man of Misery

  • Overview: Addresses the universal question of human suffering. Through the story of Job, we learn that God’s ways are often beyond our understanding, yet He remains completely trustworthy.
  • Key Fact: The book of Job teaches that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin; sometimes it is a platform for God to display His sovereignty and glory.
  • Scripture: Job 1:21 – “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Message 2. Psalms: Inspired Anthology of Praise

  • Overview: A survey of the Bible’s “hymnbook,” which provides a vocabulary for every human emotion, from deepest despair to exuberant joy.
  • Key Fact: The Psalms are categorized into different types, including laments, thanksgivings, and messianic psalms that point forward to Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Psalm 150:6 – “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

Message 3. Proverbs: Reliable Counsel for Right Living

  • Overview: Practical wisdom for everyday life. This book serves as a manual for navigating relationships, finances, and personal character with a “vertical” perspective.
  • Key Fact: Wisdom in Proverbs is not just intellectual knowledge; it is “skill in living” that begins with a healthy reverence for God.
  • Scripture: Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Message 4. Ecclesiastes: Searching for the Meaning of Life

  • Overview: Solomon’s philosophical exploration of life “under the sun.” He concludes that without God, everything—wealth, pleasure, and work—is ultimately “vanity.”
  • Key Fact: The book serves as a powerful apologetic, showing that human fulfillment can only be found when God is at the center of one’s life.
  • Scripture: Ecclesiastes 12:13 – “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments.”

Message 5. Song of Solomon: Poem of Faithful Love

  • Overview: A beautiful, poetic celebration of romantic and marital love. It highlights the sanctity and beauty of the physical and emotional bond between a husband and wife.
  • Key Fact: While often interpreted allegorically, the book primarily serves to affirm that God is the author of romantic love and desires it to be enjoyed within the covenant of marriage.
  • Scripture: Song of Solomon 8:7 – “Many waters cannot quench love, nor will rivers overflow it.”

Message 6. Profile of a Prophet

  • Overview: An introduction to the role and character of the biblical prophets. These were men called by God to be His “mouthpiece,” often speaking unpopular truths to a rebellious nation.
  • Key Fact: A prophet’s primary job was “forthtelling” (speaking God’s word to their current generation) as much as “foretelling” (predicting the future).
  • Scripture: 2 Peter 1:21 – “For no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”

Message 7. Isaiah: Prince among the Prophets

  • Overview: A majestic survey of the “Messianic Prophet.” Isaiah’s book mirrors the structure of the entire Bible, moving from judgment to the promise of comfort and a suffering Servant.
  • Key Fact: Isaiah contains some of the most vivid prophecies regarding the birth, ministry, and sacrificial death of Jesus Christ.
  • Scripture: Isaiah 9:6 – “For a child will be born to us… and His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God.”

Message 8. Jeremiah: Weeping, Warning, and Waiting

  • Overview: Known as the “Weeping Prophet,” Jeremiah faithfully delivered a message of judgment for forty years without seeing a national revival.
  • Key Fact: Jeremiah’s life demonstrates that success in God’s eyes is defined by faithfulness to the message, not by popular response.
  • Scripture: Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.'”

Message 9. Lamentations: A Prophet’s Broken Heart

  • Overview: A collection of five acrostic poems expressing the deep grief over the destruction of Jerusalem. It shows that God allows and even validates the expression of deep sorrow.
  • Key Fact: In the very center of this book of sorrow lies one of the greatest declarations of God’s faithfulness in all of Scripture.
  • Scripture: Lamentations 3:22–23 – “The Lord’s lovingkindnesses indeed never cease… They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness.”

Message 10. Ezekiel: Strong Man of God

  • Overview: Written from the heart of the Babylonian exile, Ezekiel used dramatic visions and symbolic acts to remind the people that God’s glory had not abandoned them.
  • Key Fact: Ezekiel’s name means “God strengthens,” which was necessary for a prophet ministering to a “stubborn and obstinate” people.
  • Scripture: Ezekiel 36:26 – “Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you.”

Message 11. Daniel: Man of Integrity, Message of Prophecy

  • Overview: A study of a man who maintained absolute integrity in a pagan culture. The book combines personal biography with staggering visions of future world empires.
  • Key Fact: Daniel demonstrates that it is possible to be “in the world but not of it,” influencing the highest levels of government without compromising one’s faith.
  • Scripture: Daniel 6:10 – Daniel’s consistent character: “Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed… he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying.”

Common Questions: God’s Masterwork, Volume Three

1. Why does the Bible include a book as “depressing” as Ecclesiastes? As Pastor Chuck explains in “Searching for the Meaning of Life,” Ecclesiastes is essential because it validates our human frustrations. It shows that if we look for meaning only “under the sun” (in the material world), we will always end up disappointed. It drives us to look “above the sun” to find our purpose in God.

2. Is the “love” in Song of Solomon about Christ and the Church or a man and a woman? While many scholars see an allegorical application to Christ and the Church, the series emphasizes that the primary purpose of Song of Solomon is to celebrate God’s design for human marriage. It teaches that physical and emotional intimacy is a gift from God to be honored and enjoyed.

3. What is the difference between a “Major” and a “Minor” prophet? The distinction is based on the length of the books, not the importance of the message. The “Major Prophets” (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel) wrote longer, more comprehensive scrolls, whereas the twelve “Minor Prophets” wrote shorter, more focused messages.

4. How could Jeremiah stay faithful when no one listened to his preaching? In “Weeping, Warning, and Waiting,” it is noted that Jeremiah’s strength came from his “fire in the bones”—a divine calling that he could not ignore. He teaches us that we are responsible for our obedience, while God is responsible for the results.

5. How do the prophecies in Daniel apply to us today? Daniel provides a “skeleton of world history.” By showing how precisely God fulfilled Daniel’s prophecies regarding the Greek and Roman empires, it gives us absolute confidence that God is still in control of modern geopolitics and that Christ’s final kingdom will eventually be established.

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