Biblical reference : the book of Job
Job was a righteous and upright man who feared God and lived apart from all evil. His desire was to please God. Job was very rich and successful. He had seven sons and three daughters, thousands of sheep, camels, oxen, donkeys, and a good group of servants who took care of everything. He was a very well-known and respected man in his region.
One day, at a meeting in heaven, Satan came to talk to God and God asked him if he had noticed Job. According to Satan, Job served God because he was a very blessed man who had everything going well. God gave the devil permission to touch all of Job’s possessions. Therefore, in a single day, Job lost his 10 sons, his animals, and a large part of his servants.
The Bible says that despite all these calamities, Job did not sin nor did he blame God. In fact, Job recognized that God is the one who gives and takes away and blessed the name of God.
Once again, the angels came to God and Satan was there. Satan came to God again and God asked him the same question: had he noticed Job? Satan wanted to harm Job. God gave him permission to touch Job and hurt him, but not kill him. Satan immediately went to afflict Job with ulcers that covered his entire body. The pain was terrible, but Job remained faithful to God.
Job’s wife and some of his friends began to discuss the reason for Job’s troubles. Although in a moment of great distress, Job cursed the day he was born, he never cursed God.
Near the end of the book, God spoke to Job. In that conversation, God did not explain to Job why He allowed all these things to happen to him. In fact, God only spoke of His great power and greatness. Job humbled himself before God and repented for his attitude during the trial. God restored Job and blessed him even more than before.
To reflect on: Even if things happen that we cannot understand, God is still God and deserves our praise and worship.
- Have you experienced moments of great distress? What has been your attitude?
- Make a list of the blessings God has given you and take time to thank God for his help and faithfulness.
Meditate and read : Psalm 91, Hebrews 11, Hebrews 12, Jeremiah 17:7-8.