Compiled By: Lisa K Gonzales
Source: The Life Application Study Bible
10 “For examples of patience in suffering, dear brothers and sisters, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We give great honor to those who endure under suffering. Job is an example of a man who endured patiently. From his experience we see how the Lord’s plan finally ended in good, for he is full of tenderness and mercy.” ~ James 5:10-11
Many prophets suffered and were persecuted, such as Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah. But the one whom most people think of in terms of great suffering is Job. – “There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared GOD and stayed away from evil.” – Job 1:1 – Job was a man who lost all he had through no fault of his own. As he struggled to understand all the things that happened to him, it became clear that he was not meant to know the reasons. He would have to face life with the answers and explanations held back. Only then would his faith fully develop. We must experience life as Job did – one day at a time and without complete answers to all of life’s questions. Will we, like Job, trust GOD no matter what? Or will we give in to the temptation to say that GOD does not really care? As we see the calamity and suffering in Job’s life, we must remember that we live in a fallen world where good behavior is not always rewarded and bad behavior is not always punished. When we see a notorious criminal prospering or an innocent child in pain, we say, “That is wrong”. And it most certainly is. Sin has twisted justice and made our world unpredictable and ugly. Job’s life shows a good man suffering for no apparent reason or fault of his own. Sadly, our world is like that. But Job’s story does not end in despair. Through Job’s life we can see that faith in GOD is justified even when our situations look hopeless. Faith based on rewards or prosperity is hollow. To be unshakable, faith must be built on the confidence that GOD’s ultimate purpose will come to pass.
“But Job replied, ‘You talk like a godless woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of GOD and never anything bad’? So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.” – Job 2:10 – Many people think that believing in GOD protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question GOD’s goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that we should not give up on GOD because HE allows us to have bad experiences. Faith in GOD does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life. If this were so, people would believe in GOD simply to get rich and live trouble free. GOD is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but HE may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt GOD at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort. If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow. Often we suffer consequences for our own bad decisions and actions. Job’s willingness to repent and confess known wrongs is a good guideline for us. Sometimes suffering shapes us for special service to others. Sometimes suffering is an attack by Satan on our lives. And sometimes we do not know why we suffer. It is at those times, that we must be willing to trust GOD in spite of life’s unanswered questions.
Father GOD, please give us the endurance and grace we need when we face persecution, trials and troubles. We want to trust YOU, Father in spite of any unanswered questions we may have in this life. Help us to remember that sometimes we suffer because of bad decisions we make or actions we take. Sometimes we suffer because we are being shaped for special service to others. Sometimes we suffer because we are being attacked by Satan. And sometimes we do not know why we suffer, but LORD, we trust in YOU and YOUR ultimate plan for our lives. Our faith is built on the confidence that YOUR ultimate purpose will come to pass. Hallelujah, Thank YOU, Father!
Photo: Endurance (Durango, Colorado)
Photographer: Lisa K Gonzales
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