The Patience of Job

Growing up all of my life I have heard different people make a statement to the effect of, “He/She must have the patience of Job.” I don’t know where this came from.  One thing I do know is that Job had a relationship with Jehovah.  There is no way he could have responded the way he did without it.

Someone said, “What does not kill you makes you better.”  If ever there was an example of extreme testing it is Job.  He lost his ten (10) children and many possessions.  Have you ever wondered why?  I know I have.

Then it dawned on me one day.  Look at Job 1:8, “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”  As the LORD threw Job under the bus so to speak He knew something.  He knew how Job would respond.  The LORD is omniscient.  He knows all.  He knew how Job would respond.  Job on the other hand may not have known how he would respond.

Trials are a part of life.  Our response to them is optional.  Many Pastors, Preachers and people have jumped all over Job’s wife for her “curse God and die” statement.  Maybe; just maybe, it was made out of love.  If Job cursed God and died his suffering would be over.  I don’t believe this is the context of her statement; but, it is possible this was her motive.

The next time life caves in on top of you remember that God is more concerned about your character than your comfort.  He wants to conform you into the image of Jesus Christ.  He is allowing this (He is not doing it to you) to mold you and make you into the person He wants you to be.  That is God’s purpose in trials.  Your response is; again, optional.

So, how are you doing?