Within a few years of beginning my ministry, I taught a series on the Book of Job that was quite eye-opening. See, most Christians go to this book looking to commiserate with him in one way or another, thinking the main doctrine taught is suffering. But it isn’t. It is faith.

Suffering is nothing more than God’s way of showing His children that His faith endures. Never forget that any suffering that comes your way was ordained by God, to His glory, from eternity past.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
- 1 Peter 1:3-7

On the flip side, of course, if your faith doesn’t endure, the Word of God distinctly says you aren’t saved (How could you be, unless God is an impotent liar? Lying is Satan’s role in the grand scheme of things, remember).

Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test! I hope you will find out that we have not failed the test.
- 2 Corinthians 13:5-6

Let’s get to my old friend, Job, now. And let me reiterate that while considering Job as we learn about suffering is a perfectly fine endeavor, the real pearl is Job’s faith under pressure, something God knew would never fail. God’s integrity was on the line because He is the one who gave Job his faith! Satan, like any unbeliever, refused to accept God at His word, verbalizing his dissent and instigating the account we read about in the Book of Job.

And the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?”

Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.”
- Job 1:8-11

Satan’s accusation was that the faith God had given Job was fragile and, therefore, under the right circumstances would fail. Keep in mind that Job was merely an instrument, a pawn. Satan’s accusation was directed at God since he knew it was God’s integrity that was at stake. For gravity’s sake, recall that the angels were ever-present for this exchange between God and Satan. This is why we might think about this scene as a type of theater production playing out for all to observe (something God certainly knew would end in His favor).

In some ways, the Book of Job is less about Job and more about Satan’s accusation that God’s grace is insufficient (cp. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Interestingly, Job suspected this, even though he couldn’t put his finger on it.

The funny part (not “ha, ha” funny) of the Book of Job is what we observe from his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar, who intended to support Job but ultimately failed horribly as friends. They summarily accused Job of suffering because of some sin(s) he had committed and just wasn’t confessing. Neither Job nor his friends were aware of the truth at the time, as is the case with us even today.

God-given faith must be respected. If an honest, God-fearing friend exhibits unflappable faith (like Job’s), then we ought to focus on supporting them, not condemning them, potentially making matters worse. Faith is a beautiful thing to see in a person. Let’s not default to criticism, acting as flawed judges.

Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you."
- Job 16:1-4

Job’s response to his friend’s errant assessment reminds me of the adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Good friends always give each other the benefit of the doubt. The question is, how often are we “good friends”? Be honest. Do we not all have a propensity for judging others while “walking in our own shoes”? You bet. It’s less challenging from within our personal bubble to pass quick judgements on others, so that’s what we do. In those moments, how are we any different than Job’s friends???

Faith is a very personal journey. We must respect that in others and give them the space they deserve to work out their own salvation (ala Philippians 2:12).

Job’s faith set him apart to the glory of God. That’s the kind of faith I want and that you should desire, also. Its value is crystallized as it carries us through our most difficult trials (cp. John 14:27, 16:33; Philippians 4:7). We treasure it more than gold. We thank God for it. It’s very personal and not for others to criticize.

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
- Job 23:10-12

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins