Read: Job 5-8.

Passage: Job 8:5-6.

The Power of Perseverance:

There is so much more to the story of Job that suffering and loss. It teaches us about faith amid pain and harsh accusations by those who are supposed to be friends. His faith in God, even in these dark times, inspires us to face life and its hardships knowing that the Lord is always there, always in control, and will work all things for our good (Rom. 8:28).

A lot of people make the false assumption that Satan started this because he wanted to attack Job. Satan didn’t mention Job, and it was God who pointed him out. It was God who said, “Have you considered my servant Job?” It feels like God is proud of Job and saying how he is unique in the earth.

Satan’s response is, “Well, of course he’s great—look at everything you’ve given him.” God knew Job wasn’t faithful for the rewards. Yet, God lets Satan try but he wasn’t allowed to touch Job himself. Next, Satan was allowed to touch Job but couldn’t take his life.

During this time, Job lost everything but his wife and his life. What he needed was encouragement, but they just pointed their fingers and blamed him for his situation. There are times when we all need someone to just tell us it’s all going to be okay. Someone who will be there for us, to love and support us. He needed someone to reassure him that the Lord was still there and still good. When we’re hurting and struggling, what we need is comfort. (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

Instead of support and encouragement, they attacked and accused him of being a sinner. They falsely believed that if Job was a good person and, in the right, he wouldn’t be in this situation. They thought that only sinners suffered. Jesus dealt with the same problem (John 9:2-3). The disciples were just like Job’s friends. But Jesus corrected such a false idea.

There are so many things we don’t know. We can’t see the larger scheme of things and are arrogant to think we know the whole story. Still, we are often quick to point our fingers and blame people for their suffering when sometimes all they need is a friend.

We will all face hard times or suffer great losses. Never assume you have all the answers or know why. All we should do is trust God and encourage and support those we can. (Romans 15:1).