The Language of Sustaining Faith: Job

Scripture Reading: Job 23:1-17

Sometimes a story will begin with “it was a dark and stormy night.” Well, we know that none of us are immune to “dark and stormy nights…” and when we look at Job, we can begin to understand that perhaps God designed this book to help us understand on how to think about our own dark times. How did Job’s faith make a difference in what he faced.

We all know that suffering cannot be measured objectively—and even though the book of Job seems to engage in extremes, and not trying to cut anyone else’s suffering short—we all are prone to ask some of the same questions as Job.

“The book is not about Job, his friends, or the Challenger. I have suggested it is about all of us, and ultimately about God. Our questions about suffering inevitably lead to God, for when we go through difficult times in life, there is no one else to question—he is the one whose ways we seek to understand. When we ask “Why me?” we are in effect asking “How does God work?” We may start out asking why we deserved this, but ultimately the question we arrived at is, “What kind of a God are you?” In all our difficult experiences, eventually, we arrive at the place where it is no longer us, but God who is on trial.” (Job, pg. 20/John J. Walton)

The story is more about God than Job. It does not tell us why Job or really, why any of us suffer, but it does tell us a little about how we should think about the Lord when we are suffering.

The story of Job does not answer the “why” question that we are so prone to ask when things go haywire. Instead, we are to trust God’s wisdom, and in the process, to conclude by faith that the Lord is compassionate and just.

Job is identified as “upright” which is a term very commonly used to describe people whose actions and behavior are according to God’s expectations. He is also described as “blameless” which would refer to Job’s character. We are also told that Job was one who “feared God.” In basic understanding of Old Testament usage of “to fear the Lord,” it means to take God seriously.

We can understand basically that Job is an example of both devotion and integrity. God had blessed Job with children and prosperity.

We know that Job was hit hard. His possessions and eventually his children are gone.

Job 1:20-22--20 Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, 21 saying: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life.[a] The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything.[b]

The actions of Job are all symbols of acts of grief. Falling to the ground to worship the Lord also reflected a traditional method of showing reverence.

“Job recognized that ultimately the LORD determines all things, so he submitted himself to God’s sovereign will.” (CSB p. 764)

We cannot push aside the idea that our walks are also a spiritual battle. Satan desiring to do all he can to cause us to doubt or blame God in the midst of our life experiences.

Instead of cursing God, as Satan said Job would do, Job praised the Lord.

Anybody can say, God gave me what I had” or “God has taken it away,” but faith says in the midst of sorrow and suffering, “Praise the name of the Lord.” (Wiersbe Study Bible, p. 699)

Another blow comes to Job and this time it is his health…boils from head to toe.

Job 2:9-10  His wife said to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 “You speak as a foolish woman speaks,” he told her. “Should we accept only good from God and not adversity?” Throughout all this Job did not sin in what he said.

Job recognizes that ultimately God is in control of every life, whether for good or adversity. He resisted the temptation to speak of God in a derogatory way in the midst of his grief and suffering. He was not willing to grow impatient and give up.

There is a deep-seated tenacity in Job that reflects to us a firmness in his faith in regard to the Lord. The suffering did not break Job’s faith.

Both Job’s words and actions demonstrated his confidence in the Lord.

Deuteronomy 29:29

29 The hidden things belong to the Lord our God, but the revealed things belong to us and our children forever, so that we may follow all the words of this law.

There are just some things in life that we do not understand or maybe never will.

James 5:11: See, we count as blessed those who have endured. a] You have heard of Job’s endurance and have seen the outcome that the Lord brought about—the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Job is a prime example of an individual who patiently endured suffering and was blessed by God for his persevering faith.

James reminds us that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

No matter what each of us have faced in life, we have been faced with the reality of grief and suffering of different kinds. Our own faith is challenged when we face such difficulties… yet we are reminded that God is faithful and caring.

Psalm 34:18-- The Lord is near the brokenhearted; he saves those crushed in spirit.

Hebrews 10:19-23 we are encouraged to draw near to the Lord is full assurance of faith without wavering because the Lord, the One who is the God of promise, is faithful.

James reminds us to:

James 1:2-4, 12  “Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing… blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God[c] has promised to those who love him.

1 Peter 1:6-7

“You rejoice in this, even though now for a short time, if necessary, you suffer grief in various trials 7 so that the proven character of your faith—more valuable than gold which, though perishable, is refined by fire—may result in praise, glory, and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Read Job 23:8-12

Job had decisions to make in his faith and character, just like we all do when we face adversity, grief, trials of any kind--our choice--follow in the Lord's steps, lean on His Word, trust His love and compassion--and wait on the Lord.