Maintaining faith when life tumbles in

Job had lost just about everything – at least everything that would matter to most people then and to most people today. In just one day he lost his oxen, donkeys, sheep and camels, as well as his servants – in a nutshell, he lost his entire stock portfolio. All his wealth was gone in a day. But to make matters worse he lost all his children in a disaster that day, as well. His life had truly tumbled in!

What Job did not know, but we know when we read the book about him, is that Satan was behind this. God allowed it – he was in control – but God didn’t do it to him: Satan did. It was all in an attempt to get Job to turn his back on God.

God’s confidence in Job’s faith and integrity was vindicated – through all of this, he refused to give up on God. So Satan tried again. He joined the “sons of God” when they came before the Lord. God once again asked what he thought of Job, especially since he still maintained his integrity despite what Satan had incited against him.

“‘Skin for skin!’ Satan replied. ‘A man will give all he has for his own life. But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.’ The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’” (Job 2:4-6 NIV)

The problem, according to Satan, was that Job hadn’t felt anything because it had not affected him physically. This tells us something about Satan: he does not know what it is like to be human. Yes, people can be self-centred, but there is pain that people experience that is worse than physical pain or even death. The pain at losing his children would have been far worse than anything Satan could do to him physically. When our children are in pain we, as their parents, are also in pain. To lose a child brings overwhelming grief. Can you imagine losing all ten children at one time? Job had already faced about as much pain as any person could endure.

God allowed Satan to do what he wanted to Job but there was only so far he would let Satan go – he couldn’t take his life. One thing we see through all of this is that God is in control. Yes, he allowed Satan to give Job immense trials, but there were limits even on what Satan could do. This fact should give us comfort when we face trials in life.

“So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.” (Job 2:7-8)

What happens when a person is faced with severe physical discomfort? They look for relief. Sometimes it is physical relief, which Job attempted through sitting in ashes and scrapping himself with sharp objects.

When going through a difficult period it can be more useful to have the comfort and encouragement of those we love. Sadly, his wife and friends did not really help. His wife’s reaction at seeing him in such pain was, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9) – in other words, forget God and end your life. Job’s response to her is priceless: “‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’ In all this, Job did not sin in what he said” (Job 2:10).

Job’s “friends” weren’t much better – when they arrived they were speechless and sat for a week without saying anything. Although it is good to be surrounded by people, silence can become very awkward. When they started speaking, all they could do was to accuse him of being a terrible, unfaithful person – they offered no comfort.

No matter how bad our life gets we need to remember Job and not turn our back on God – he is always there for us.

Image created by Apple’s ImagePlayground by Jon Galloway.

Readings for next week: Proverbs 29-31; Job 1-5