Read Job 21 – 24
My foot hath held His steps, His way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips; I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food - (Job 23:11-12).
Job offers us as believers the personal example of a man who endured great hardships. His difficulties demand repeating again and again. This is necessary so that we profit and learn from how terribly Job had to suffer afflictions in this life.
This man lost nearly everything of monetary value he had. Most of his servants and family had perished. His health took a downward spiral that had brought him just shy of death's door. All those around him were either critical or had abandoned him altogether. It could well be said that he had suffered more than most anyone had suffered or would ever suffer. He fought through these afflictions exceptionally well under the circumstances. Many would have just given up because of all Job endured.
It is not that Job never got down or discouraged during this time. As we read the Book of Job, it is clear that he had times he felt lonely and perhaps even depressed. The key to Job's journey through this terrible time can be found in these two verses.
Job did not give up his trust in his Creator. His belief in God was as strong in the hard times as it had been in the good times. The awful circumstances of life did not influence the identity and character of God in Job's life. The love of God was still just as wonderful in Job's mind regardless of the outcome of his own life. Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life (Jude 1:21).
Many bad things had come to Job's life. However, there was no question that there had been many good things in his life as well. He knew full well where all the good things had come from. And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work (2 Cor. 9:8).
Life's trials may get us down at times. Our faith and trust in God are the only things that can truly deliver us out of the valley and to the top of the mountains of life. Follow God. Let the love of Christ carry us to the next mountain top experience.
And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose (Rom. 8:28).
Thought for Today:
God's Word encourages even though others may turn against us.
Word Studies:
21:2 consolations, sympathy; 21:3 Suffer, Allow; 21:8 seed, children; 21:10 gendereth, breeds; casteth not, does not miscarry; 21:29 tokens, testimony and experience; 24:5 rising betimes for a prey, seeking diligently for food; 24:21 evil entreateth, cruelly takes advantage of.
Christ Revealed:
Through Job's faithfulness to God throughout his suffering (Job 23:10-12). Christ's faithfulness to the Father is seen as He prayed for the Father's will to be done, not His own (Luke 22:42).
Prayer Suggestion: Kneel in a humble spirit of reverence as you pray to the Lord (1 Kings 8:54).
Optional Reading: Ephesians 3
Memory Verse for the Week: Ecclesiastes 12:13
