There is something about the story of Job that just cuts to the quick. Such loss and grief and utter destruction of all that he had built over the years. Yet Job remains firm in saying that he will trust the Lord always. The ultimate example of steadfastness in all circumstances, Job throws down such a challenge!

The story of Job demonstrates what it looks like to build upon the rock. He shows us what finding security in God looks like. He illustrated the security he has from God. Job had ample opportunity to lean on his children, his wealth of crops and animals and servants and land. He had everything. Then because the evil one asked, Job lost everything. He lost his health and children and all of his wealth. It seems he still had the land, but it didn’t produce anything.

Hope in loss

We too have formed our families, built (or bought) houses, walked the steppingstones in our careers and amassed assets. And it is easy to fear it will be taken away, after all it happened to one who loved God thoroughly so it can happen to me. Job 13:15 says, ‘Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.’ Job recognizes that God has permitted this suffering that he is going through and yet continues to hope in God, he continues to trust and wait for God’s good work to come to fruition. He sees that this suffering will not be in vain but will somehow glorify God. And I must admit it would be pretty cool to be part of an in-your-face to Satan, wouldn’t it? Job participated in a live demonstration to Satan that he would lose the battle.

God’s role in loss

God describes Job as upright, honest and true, devoted to God and shuns evil. The response from Satan (Job 1:10) is enlightening, ‘Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.’ God has rewarded Job for his steadfastness in devotion and the character that God is looking for, I see Job as another man after God’s own heart. The Satan goads the Lord in verse 11 inviting God to strike away all that Job has. God does not such evil but allows Satan to do so.

There are several truths about God that we must keep in mind about suffering and loss:

God does no evil to Job. He permits evil only to bring about the good of defeating Satan and blessing Job. (Job 1:12)

God knows Job. This is no test for Job nor for God. Both know that the other is unwavering. God says so in Job 1:9, while Job expresses his expected deliverance will come from God in Job 13:16.

God blessed Job before, during and after the suffering (Job 1:1-3, 10; 42:12-17)

Unwavering faith

Unfortunately, we know well that we will suffer and face many trials. James 1:2-18 seems to outline the actions of Job for us. Though I think the exhortation to joy may have been left out of Job’s life, he doesn’t seem to be joyful in his defense to friends but maybe he was. James tells us that we must rejoice in trials so our faith will produce perseverance and lack nothing. Then he says if we lack wisdom then we should ask. Hm. Yes when I am in trials, wisdom does seem to be lacking! How like us to need it but not notice. This encouragement to ask for wisdom in the midst of the section on trials is purposefully placed. Perhaps we should ask for wisdom in all trials, despite the recognized lack of it. But the firmness that James states we must believe is what most identifies Job, I think. Job never wavered in his assurance that God was good and would deliver him. Job too must have known that even if this was the end of his life, God had the crown waiting for him. His reward was assured.

God our security and deliverer

In the midst of trials, in the midst of great financial loss, ruin even, God was watching over Job. Like Job, we too must stand firm in our faith and the assurance of hope that God will deliver us. Psalm 18:32 says, ‘It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure.’ God is our security, our rock for today and for tomorrow. He is the one who ‘gives us the ability to produce wealth’ (Deuteronomy 8:18), one that we can only thanks God for and not depend on it, but on Him. Job’s success in the trials he faced were based on his relationship with God, his knowledge that God cared for him and would deliver him. No loss is too great for God to restore or even double. ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted,’ (Job 42:2) so we know that He will be glorified in all trials and we will be blessed. Yes, even blessed, for He works all, even trials and loss, for our good (Romans 8:28).