Job - Pt. 5

 

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. (Job 1:20-22 ESV).

 

Today’s reading helps us expand the thought from yesterday. Let’s summarize a bit. First, God alone is sovereign over all of creation. He alone has ultimate control and authority. Second, God has ordained each of our lives in such a way as to bring good from every circumstance. This truth is typically met with some doubt as we think of those things that really are a direct result of our sin. Fortunately the Scripture speaks to this.

 

In our current culture we have developed two explanations for suffering: sin on our part or God’s work of growing us as Christians. Both are, of course, thoroughly biblical. First, it cannot be denied that suffering is often a result of our sin. David writes that his wounds “stink and fester” because of his own foolishness (cf. Psalm 38:5). David is in pain, but it is no mystery why, and clearly the best response in such pain is repentance. There is a second explanation of suffering clearly taught in the Scripture. James urges us counter-intuitively to regard trials as joy, because God is working perseverance in us, which ends in the very precious state of a Christian mature and complete, lacking nothing (cf. James 1:2–4).

 

This brings us to the final explanation for our suffering. The Book of Job goes to great length to show us that it is not because of any fault in Job’s life that his affliction comes. In fact, it is a result of his righteousness that attracts such unfortunate attention (cf. Job 1:8). God is not “teaching” Job. He is working good in his life. When God puts us into a position where we must hold onto our relationship with God for God’s sake only—in which we stand to gain nothing but God—we start to receive him more fully than we ever had before. Job’s amazed cry, “Now my eyes see you,” becomes our own.

 

We need to be very clear at this point. God’s desire for us is this intimate relationship that can only come from complete trust. Notice Job worships after his declaration of God’s working in his life. He both acknowledges God as the overseer of his pain and the source of his comfort. The Book of Job has much more to teach us; however, for now we should learn that our only hope and healing come from the One who is in control. Turn to Him alone.