Job suffered for me?

Have you ever been going through a trial and thought, “Why is this happening? What have I done to deserve this?”

I think we all have felt like this. Some of us, many times.

Well, considering the story of Job and what was allowed to happen to him…..the loss of all of his property, his employees, his 10 children….we can see that none of these tragic things happened to Job without God’s knowledge. God was well aware of it. Actually, he gave Satan permission to attack Job within these boundaries.

Job 1:12 And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”

So, after reading this, one may wonder why God would authorize abuse like this on someone so faithful to Him.

Job 1:2 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil.

During his trial, Job didn’t forget Who God Is. Nothing had changed for Job in that respect. His trust in God was rock solid.

Job 1:21 And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

Job knew God hadn't abandoned him. Job knew God wasn’t punishing him. Sometimes we can’t see why something is allowed to happen. We don’t get to see behind the scenes. Job didn’t either. Job wasn’t invited to the meeting that took place in heaven between God and Satan.

Job 1:6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them.

Job didn’t hear how pleased God was with him. How God was praising him.

Job 1:8     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?”

Job didn’t understand that Satan was convinced that he could cause him to “curse God and die”.

Job 1:11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”

When we are in the midst of our trials, maybe we should consider the story of Job. Read the story again. You can feel his anguish, his desperation, his agony. No, Job isn’t the only one who has experienced a life-altering loss. Losses. But I do think he has most people beat.

Do you think that may be one of the reasons God allowed poor Job to suffer? For us? So, no matter what unbelievably painful, difficult trial we may be enduring, we can look to Job and see that he still praised God. He still regarded His Creator as greater than the trial. He still trusted. Even though he couldn’t understand.

Just like we usually can’t understand.

But God has reasons for these trials. They benefit us, spiritually. They help us grow, spiritually. God’s concern for us is that: our end result, spirit. In God’s image.

James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

Continue to encourage one another with the words of God.

2 Cor. 1:2-4 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.