In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. Job 1:1 NIV
Job was a righteous man who respected God and always tried to do the right thing. God had blessed job with great wealth, in fact, the Bible tells us he was the “greatest among men of the East.” His love for his children and his respect for God was so strong that job offered a sacrifice on behalf of his children every day, just in case they had sinned against God.
Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” Job 1:8-11 NIV
God granted Satan’s request and Job lost just about everything: his children, his wealth and even his own health. We read a passage like Job and we have to wonder why God would allow Satan do these things to Job. If you’ve read the Bible enough to get a full picture of the character of God, you can be sure of two things. First, God had nothing to prove to Satan, in fact, his decision to grant Satan’s request had nothing to do with Satan and everything to do with what God wanted to do in Job’s life. Secondly, you can be sure that, although the journey for Job was not an easy one, God allowed him to suffer because it was in his best interest. James gives us a clue of how that could be.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4 NIV
Job struggled, just like you and I would under the same circumstances, but God used the suffering to grow the faith of Job and bring him to a place of spiritual maturity that he would have never reached without it. Many times, that’s the point of suffering. He also used it to bring Job’s wife and friends to a deeper understanding of the nature of God. Sometimes, we suffer not just for our own spiritual benefit, but for the benefit of others.
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:9-10 NIV
Throughout the trials, Job did his best to stay focused on the goodness of God and resisted the temptation to turn against Him. When the trial had ended, Job’s relationship with God was deeper and stronger than it had ever been!
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5 NIV
After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. Job 42:10 NIV
See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:11 NIV
Whatever trial you may be going through today, take heart, God has not abandoned you! He is using it for your good. Trust Him and do your best to maintain your integrity as you allow God to reveal Himself to you in a deeper and greater way during your time of struggle. God will bless you and those you love as you journey through the most difficult times in life!