The book of Job is not much of an interest to many as it graphically portrays the severity of suffering in a man who (in our thinking) least deserved it.  But like other books in the Bible, it has it’s purpose in being there- suffering is not the end; there is a victory for the one who trusts God in suffering and is patient to see Him work in those severe circumstances of life.  Job’s life is a testimony of this fact as James states: “Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:11)

From our key verse let us examine the key words that have lessons for us today:
 

• Restored: At the beginning of the book anyone would have been envious of Job with his piety, position, physique, possessions, etc. But he lost it all!- including his children and his wife who cursed him and his kith and kin who sneered at him and stood aloof from him. What a state! Yet.. “In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:22). We see Job’s struggles but his resilience is great. He says “But he [GOD] knows every step I take. When he has tested me, I’ll come out as pure as gold.”
  (Job 23:10 NIRV)
  
  Towards the closing chapters, we see his conversations with God such that he is awestruck with the power and majesty of God. He says at the beginning of this chapter: “I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” (Job 42:2).

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In having withstood the onslaught of trials and troubles in his life, the LORD restored Job to his previous state; in fact, much better than how he had been. He was restored of his relationships with friends and family. 

 

• Increased: “Now the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning;” (Job 42:12). He had a two-fold increase of all his possessions; He was blessed with children and an increase in years that made him see his grandchildren for four generations! It was not that God was indebted to him in anyway but because of His mercy and compassion, He blessed Job much beyond his wildest thinking. 
  
  Despite the loss Job suffered, the Lord caused him to prosper and regain his position and possessions. It was not just an increase in the physical aspect but an increase in his overall well-being that he died content “old and full of days!” (Job 42:17).

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The lessons from Job are clear- life has its fair share of suffering/hardship/troubles…yet what is our attitude at such times? Do we grumble and complain to God for the grind in our lives? Or can we like Job be patient and trust Him at tough times so that He can do His good work in us? James 1:4 says: “But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” In mentioning Christ and the suffering He endured the writer of Hebrews says: “In bringing many sons and daughters to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through what he suffered.” (Heb.2:10) The suffering of Christ, brought you and me honour in being accepted into God’s family.  

Let us allow tough times in life for God’s hand to mould us such that His perfect work will be done in us. There is a sure reward that God will bestow in the end. 

 

Thought for the Day:  

“So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. “

1 Peter 4:19 NLT