Ultimately

April 10

There is perhaps no individual in the scriptures or in history in general who more personifies the concept of suffering and loss than does Job. When we are first introduced to Job, it is through a discourse that is transpiring between God and the evil angel Lucifer. God brings up the topic of Job.

He says, “Have you considered my servant Job? He is upright in every way.” The response of the evil one (to paraphrase) is, “Well, what do You expect! He’s got everything a man could want! Take away a few things from him. Let him suffer a little and see how fast he denies Your name!”

So God agrees that evil may enter Job’s life. You know the story. Job’s children are killed in a freak ‘natural disaster;’ his vast properties are destroyed; even his health is finally taken from him. His wife advises Job to ‘curse God and die’ (Job 2:9).’ Yet through his ordeal, Job maintains his integrity before the Lord. In Job 1:21 he reaffirms his faith: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. May the name of the Lord be praised.”

May we, at our hour of trial and loss, be like Job who kept His focus on God and on His goodness in spite of how things appeared in his own personal life. May we ultimately, like Job, realize that while our trials may hone our faith, refine our concept of who we are, even reveal the attitude of the heart of those closest to us, they are ultimately the springboard by which God will show Himself strong in our behalf.