Job is one of my favourite men from the Bible. Mainly because his story is almost parallel to the things that happen in everyday life to us ordinary people. Since being saved, Job is the one man I was able to immediately identify with as he went through the different seasons in his life.
So, who was Job?
The book of Job tells us that he was a RIGHTEOUS man; a just and good man who always sought to please God. He was rewarded by God with great wealth. BUT the devil was jealous of Job and began to vilify him before God claiming that Job was only righteous and faithful because God was blessing him, and if God stopped blessing him, He'd curse God. To prove Job's faithfulness and loyalty God allowed the devil to take away all his possessions and through a series of events, his cattle, servants, children and property were destroyed. Job did not complain, and said "God gave, and God has taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord."
The devil was put to shame and wasn't satisfied. God permitted him to deprive Job of His health and Job's body broke out in lesions and sores of leprosy. His wife began to persuade him to complain against God. His friends offered little consolation, but Job remained firm and didn't lose hope in the mercy of God
Although Job was a righteous man, he shows his "humanness" when he complains to God. He cursed the day he was born and even pleads with God, but after all the emotional talk, Job STILL HOPED IN GOD and expressed confidence that his redeemer lives.
After several chapters of dialogue between Job and his friends, near the end of the book of Job, God finally answers Job telling him basically how insignificant he was as he was not there when the Lord created the earth. Through his speech, God revealed his majesty and power over all of creation including Job and Job promises God silence.
Eventually, Job confesses and repents and God rebukes his friends.
God rewarded his loyal servant and restored his health, wealth and family manifold.
The lesson
When you're faced with trials and tribulations, it is easy to be discouraged, especially if you are a righteous person. It is easy to look at the so called "unrighteous" who seem to have it all, forgetting the verse that says "many are the afflictions of a RIGHTEOUS man, but God delivers him from them ALL". We forget God majesty and his ability to deliver us from whatever trials or storms we encounter. Our attitudes during suffering and pain determines how long the pain will last. God is moved by faith and praise and if you will praise him through every circumstance, he WILL deliver you from every affliction, every chain that binds you and every mountain that blocks you.
Faith.
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