Job 23:1-17
Saturday, 22 May 2021
“But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.”-Job 23:10
The Book of Job points out God is sovereign and all things are for the glory of His wisdom and grace. The righteous, though oppressed with sufferings and calamities, are never forgotten by God in whose hands they are and whose lives are precious to Him. In this world the righteous aren’t ultimately rewarded—but there is a time God’s justice will prevail and those who trust in Him will be eternally rewarded. Job 9:10 reminds us: “It is He who does great things, the unfathomable, And wondrous works without number.”
Job’s life gives us a beautiful picture of faith that endures the fiery trial. When storms hit, only those with solid foundations will survive its fury. Job was tested from all corners to the point of total devastation. But as his life was built on God, he was able to persevere in the trials. Even his wife asked him to curse God and die (Job2:9), but he endured the suffering.
We see here a blameless and upright man (Job2:3) whom God Himself testified, losing everything he had on earth. He was in utter most pain and agony. Like Job, often we also try to reason out – why God allows His children to suffer. Through this incident we can make out that suffering is not always a direct result of personal sin. God is beyond our comprehension and His ways are higher than our ways (Isaiah 55:8,9). What we can do is to remain faithful and trust in Him. It’s His promise that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Deuteronomy 31:8).
As suffering is not always a penalty for sin, so also is prosperity – that is not always a reward for being upright. Paul advises Timothy that “All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2Timothy 3:12). Looking at David’s life we see that the whole life span was a battlefield for him. Though the man of God was discouraged many times, yet he was growing from strength to strength. Praise and prayer were there always on his lips and beautiful Psalms came out from him all through the period of trials. Even after centuries, these Psalms keep on refreshing the broken- hearted.
Remember there is no crown without a cross. Jesus said “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” (Matthew16:24). When you pass through the furnace of trials, God is there to help you but His condition prevails – He will revive the spirit of the humble (Isaiah 57:15). Proud, arrogant, rebellious and mocking hearts will never be comforted by God. James1:2,3 reveals that faith will be tested to prove its genuineness. Trials produce perseverance that leads to good character and builds our hope (Romans 5:3). Job also went through this and finally he was rewarded by God Himself.
Only God knows the purpose behind our trials or suffering. Many a time He may not explain it to the people. In such moments are you willing to trust and lean on to Him rather than searching for reasons. And as Job testified, when He has tested you, you will come forth as gold!
A Note of Encouragement:
Be still and know that I am God… (Psalm 46:10)