Job is one of my favorite Biblical friends. No matter what Satan threw at him, he stood firm and maintained his integrity.

His story is the chronicle of incomprehensible loss.

He had questions. And he wished he’d never been born. But he didn’t cave. He lost everything that mattered. And God was silent. He felt abandoned and hopeless. But God did not engage him in conversation…yet.

Though Job didn’t understand this bizarre trial or foresee a favorable outcome, he trusted God by determination of his will.

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him. He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.

Job was doing just fine…until the Lord brought up his name

He 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.”

Satan said, “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.”

The Lord gave Satan access to Job, with one prohibition: you cannot take his life. And the enemy began pouring on the pain.

• Emotional pain—loss of his ten children and his livestock.
• Relational pain—bad advice from his wife and friends.
• Physical pain—boils all over his body.
• Spiritual pain—Job cried out, What have I done to deserve this? Where is God? Why was I born?

Bombarded with hopelessness, we have nowhere to go but God. He’s the only one who can answer…and sometimes he doesn’t.

Bombarded with hopelessness, we have nowhere to go but God. He’s the only one who can answer…and sometimes he doesn’t. Click To Tweet

In his desolate place, Job did not hear from God but he trusted his hand. Through all of this, Sovereign God was not sleeping. Knowing him as I do, I imagine his heart grieved over Job’s suffering.

Don’t you think God had a lot of confidence in Job to trust him with such immense challenges?

All that Job had to go on was what he knew about God and his own integrity. He declared, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God. I myself will see him with my own eyes…How my heart yearns within me!”

Near the end of the book of Job, God responded to his questions—not by explaining why but by declaring his power and sovereignty.

For His own purposes, God may put us in a place we don’t understand and give little or no explanation. He never let Job in on the plan when he allowed Satan to unleash everything he had to blow him off the map.

For His own purposes, God may put us in a place we don’t understand and give little or no explanation. Click To Tweet

After the test, God didn’t just restore all Job had lost. He gave him twice as much. And he gave him ten more children.

We may never fully understand why God works as he does, but we can trust he has a purpose that will ultimately work for our good and his glory.

Job’s story is the chronicle of God’s unfathomable love and faithfulness.

Watch for ways God is using baffling bits and pieces of life to add value and worth to your story.

Here’s a great promise to memorize. “For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth, to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him…” (2 Chronicles 16:9).

Has God dealt severely in your life yet shown himself strong and faithful? Please leave a comment. And I’d be grateful if you would share this with your friends!

(Scriptures from NIV. See the book of Job.)

© Dianne Barker 2018