JOB: Faithful and Trusting
Through Job's affliction and suffering he remained faithful to God. Job trusted God in spite of his suffering. Job's friends doubted his innocence because they believed health and wealth were signs of God's blessing. They insisted that God was punishing him; Job responded that he was innocent. The disagreement between them did not bring any answers and his friends gave up.Job did ask God to appear and give him a reason for his loss and affliction. We too are able to speak and wrestle with God about what we do not understand.
Job is an encouragement to many as we realise that God often reveals His presence through circumstances in which He appears to be absent. The age old saying is "God is working behind the scenes". We may doubt God's presence however Job knew that God would not fail him. He was willing to wait on God and while he was waiting, while suffering, he worshipped God.
What gave Job the assurance that God was present? Job had a very intimate relationship with God. He was a man without sin. "He was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:2). He offered sacrifices to God. He was a true worshipper. After Job lost all his wealth, he also suffered physically and, after tearing his robe and shaving his head, Job chose to worship God.
During this pandemic many of us have lost their wealth and livelihood. Some have contracted covid19 and suffered as a result of it. The physical affliction and loss of life and possessions reveal to us a new depth of the words that Job spoke that this life on earth is temporary and means nothing compared to the eternal life of glory with God in Christ.
After Job's friends failed him, he knew that the only One to trust was God. How do we know that Job trusted God? Job defended God and Job waited on God. He was able to discern the true Word from the superficial words spoken by those who did not know God the way he did.
Some reflection...
Is our relationship with God enough?
What is our response to the loss and suffering we are experiencing at the moment?
Are we willing to look beyond our own circumstances and reach out to others?
What are the questions that you would like to ask God?
May it be that we too are overwhelmed with the truth of God's majesty and sovereignty and may we receive a deeper sense of God's power and splendour, trusting God more especially as we move through and beyond unprecedented times.
| I have heard about you from others; now I have seen you with my own eyes. That's why I hate myself and sit here in dust and ashes to show my sorrow. (Job42:5-6) |
(Natalie Angela Barnard serves the congregation at St Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Cape Town. Mother to Christian, mom in law to Angela and grandmother to Isabella (4 years old), who all live in England, Mother to Natascha who works as a nurse and lives in Switzerland. She has a great passion for outdoor life including camping, hiking, sailing, swimming. Foster mom to several. Adopted mom, granny and aunt to many. She loves spending time with family, friends and her church family).
