TEXT:

‘There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil’ (Job 1:1 NLT)

THOUGHT:

When evangelising I have been asked many times, “Why does bad things happen to good people?” or “If God is a God of love why does He allow so much suffering?”

Sometimes we do not have easy answers to difficult questions. When Abraham was interceding with the knowledge of God’s impending judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, he said, ‘Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?’ (Genesis 18:25). The answer is always a resounding, “Yes!” The Book of James makes this very clear, ‘Remember, when someone wants to do wrong it is never God who is tempting him, for God never wants to do wrong and never tempts anyone else to do it’ (James 1:13 TLB). God is good, all the time!

In Part 1 of this study we considered Job’s family, finances and fear. Part 2 highlights two more aspects of Job and the ordeal he went through.

• Job’s Frustration

A. With his friends – ‘Miserable comforters are you all’(Job 16:2)

Sometimes we have to be willing to let people pour out their grief and anguish without us saying a word. We are all guilty of saying things in bitterness we would never utter when in blessing. Job’s comforters kept quiet for seven days because they saw his grief was very great.¹ Once Job started speaking, they immediately jumped into action and were quick to blame Job for being the cause of his own tragedy.

A line in a famous song says, “You say it best when you say nothing at all”. That was referring to love and God’s love in us can hold back words when we rashly think it’s time to let suffering people know they have said enough and that they are the architects of their own troubles.

It’s interesting to note that when Peter denied knowing Jesus, Jesus did not say anything but just looked and that look was enough to send Peter running home in floods of tears.

‘To him who is afflicted kindness should be shown by his friend’ (Job 6:14).

B. With God

The Bible says that if we have a problem with someone, we do not talk about them to someone else but go and speak to them face to face.² Job wanted a face to face with God to get answers to his questions and complaint, but God is a spirit, so that only added to Job’s frustration. He did not understand what had happened and why, so he ended up wrongly thinking that God was the author of it all. It is us, with the benefit of hindsight, who now know the real cause of Job’s trouble and tragedy – Satan.

Have you got unanswered questions that are driving a wedge between you and God? Be careful what you say about God to yourself and to others, because He loves you and only has your best interests at heart. Remember He knows the end from the beginning and does not have to explain every action along the way.

• Job’s Faith

Billy Bray was a rough, coarse Cornish miner. When he was converted he was on fire for God. He was known as “The Glory Man” because of his enthusiastic praise for the One who had saved him and changed his life. He famously said, “If the devil should lock me in a barrel, I will shout Hallelujah through the bung hole!” That is the attitude to have when in adversity.

Like diamonds discovered in the depths of the earth, so key statements Job made during his suffering reveal the strength of his faith in God. I have highlighted six for you to meditate on and start saying yourself.

‘The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord’ (1:21 TLB)

‘Shall we receive only pleasant things from the hand of God and never anything unpleasant?” So in all this Job said nothing wrong’ (2:10 TLB)

‘You gave me life and showed me your unfailing love. My life was preserved by your care’ (10:12 NLT)

‘Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him’ (13:15)

‘For I know that my Redeemer and Vindicator lives, and at the last He will take His stand upon the earth. Even after my [mortal] skin is destroyed [by death], yet from my [immortal] flesh I will see God’ (19:25-26 AMP)

‘But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold’ (23:10)

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding’ (28:28)

It is out of the abundance of our heart that our mouth speaks. When life squeezes us, it is then we know what is really on the inside, sweet or sour!

It is not hard to praise God when the sun is shining and all is going well, although it is also easy to take our eyes off God and forget to say thank you. What are you like when the storm comes, the floods rise and the rain beats on your house? When trouble hits your business, health, family and anything else you hold dear? Does your faith hold firm? Can you react like Job in the face of adversity?

When feelings fluctuate and faith falters, focus on the unchanging Word of God. The following poem always encourages and reminds me of what to do when times are hard.

Three men were walking on a wall, Feeling, Faith and Fact,

When Feeling had an awful fall and Faith was taken back.

Faith walked so close to Feeling, he stumbled and fell too,

But Fact remained and pulled Faith up, and Faith pulled Feeling too!

Faith calls the things which are not as though they are!

Do not give up for your change is coming!

Endnotes:

¹ Job 2:13                     ² Matthew 18:15-20