Verse of the Day: Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
How often have we, as born again believers, suffered greatly, and wondered why we were going through whatever it was we were (or are) experiencing? We go through our spiritual checklist, only to be left empty at the end, not being able to pinpoint the reason for our trials. Like Job, those around us, even our closest friends, may have their opinions and perspectives as to why we are suffering, but the bottom line is that we cannot always know, because God may choose not to reveal that tidbit of information. That, my brothers and sister, is called living by faith, and completely trusting God. Job suffered greatly. He went from being wealthy to being poor, having a family to losing all his children, and from being healthy to being greatly ill. How many of us can survive being homeless, having our children all killed, on the same day, and then finding out that we have an illness that would require a lot of medical attention? I cannot say for sure how I would respond to that, and neither can you. All I do know is that God is faithful, and His grace is always sufficient for the very moment we need it. My desire is that I would respond properly toward Him, but not one of us really knows until we have walked in those shoes, and we must be careful about how we judge other Christians’ reactions in the times of their trial and tribulations. Here we see that after all that Job has gone through, he is beginning to realize that what has befallen him could very well be a test for him. We can learn much from Job’s reaction and statement in respect to suffering and enduring trials. Although he cannot see God, and does not know what God is doing by allowing all that happened to him, he was confident that God could see him (Ps 34:15; 139:7-9; Prov 15:3). No matter what we face, the one thing we can be sure of is that wherever we are and whatever happens, God knows it, and is always with us (Heb 13:5-6). Job was ignorant of the fact that Satan had made accusations against him, but only after God pointed out his righteous life, and that these trials came as a result of God lifting him up before the accuser of the brethren. Let us not forget that there is a price to pay for living a holy, righteous, and separated life (as both the devils and the world will oppose us); and though nothing can compare to the rewards we will receive for living as such, there are also going to be tests and challenges along the way. Job was beginning to understand that what he was experiencing was a test (1 Pet 1:6-7), and that the outcome was going to be for his benefit and his good (Rom 8:28-29). When we read about Job’s life, the one thing that does stand out is that regardless of such great loss, he continued to praise and worship God. One of Job’s fears was that he did not know how this would all end for him, and that frightened him. Yet, he did not lose his reverence for the One he knew was still in control. Every one of us, regardless of who we are, will have those moments of having our faith shaken. However, the best remedy for uncertainty is to trust Him, worship Him, praise Him, and thank Him (Ps 138; Heb 13:15; Phil 4:6). Just like we do not always know the reason or cause of our trials, we do not always know what the end result will be. What we can know is that God is faithful, He will never forsake us, and in the end He will always do what is best for us and for His glory. Like Job, we will come out tried, tested, and as gold that has been refined (to remove impurities from our lives), and polished (so that the reflection of our Refiner, Jesus, will be seen in us).
No one enjoys loss or suffering. However, the worst way to go through difficult times is without Jesus; especially when at the end of this life, and all its troubles, you are condemned eternally for rejecting Him (John 3:18). Call upon Him today, repenting and confessing your sins; accepting His free gift of eternal life (Rom 6:23; 10:13).
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