Job 1

“Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing?’” (Job 1:8–9, NKJV)

Job is an uncomfortable story because it proves that bad things happen to good people. We don’t like that. Like Job’s friends, we want everything to fit neatly into boxes of our own understanding. It agrees with our sensibilities when good things happen to good people and bad things happen to bad people. But the story of Job throws a wrench into the machinery of our notions about righteousness and reward. Because Job, a blameless and upright man, suffered like no one else, we realize that we too may suffer, and there is nothing we can do to prevent it. But Job also foreshadows the One who would suffer an even greater injustice. Both Job and Jesus show us that suffering has a purpose that we may not understand at the time. But God is still good.

The account of Job also helps us to see that there is a relentless enemy of our souls. We see Satan appearing with the other angels before God. As soon as God points out Job’s righteousness, Satan accuses Job of only serving God because of the blessings he has received. In the book of Revelation, the apostle John calls Satan “the accuser of the brethren”. Here we see him unmasked in his diabolical role, finding fault with God’s blameless servant and seeking to destroy him.

Finally, we see in Job an amazing example of integrity. Despite the most fiery arrows that Satan can shoot, Job refuses to curse God or charge Him with any wrongdoing. Job’s faith and integrity overcome the flesh, the world, and the devil. God’s divine experiment tests Job to the breaking point, but his faith survives and is ultimately refined like gold.

My hope and prayer is that if you are now suffering things you do not understand that you will gain perspective, peace, and comfort from this profound story. You are not alone. Remember Paul’s words to the Corinthians:

“The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure.” (1 Corinthians 10:13, NLT)

Therefore, be patient and wait on the Lord, dear one. He is very compassionate and merciful (James 5:11).