Follow Job’s example and stand steady in faith

I know that my redeemer lives. What a powerful declaration of faith and confidence spoken by Job, a man who just lost everything he valued in life. All of it, lost in a day.

He spent long years working to ensure financial security for himself and his family. The wealth that was amassed was gone, along with his health. The terrible day filled with heart-wrenching news would test both his character and his faith in God.

This situation threw Job into depression. He experienced physical pain, alienation from community and accusations from friends. Even his own wife offered no support to him as she simply said, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” In other words, just give up. Throw away your faith in God because look what happened to you. Job, you didn’t deserve this. Why live?

But Job took the “high road.” He made the conscious choice and decision to continue to trust the Lord, no matter what occurred in his life. The Bible states that in spite of all the things that happened to Job, he still did not sin with his lips. In other words, he chose not to blame God.

Instead, he entrusted himself into God’s hands believing that somehow it would all work out despite the way it looked right now.

Does this sound familiar? Sure it does. We are experiencing great shake-ups in our world today. Still, there is nothing new under the sun. Society has gone through tremendous problems, even dated back before our time. And we will go through them again. Such is life.

However, it doesn’t always offer the consolation we need in such a time as this. Perhaps taking a quick look at the responses of Job will help us make it through in victory and strength. This book of the Bible offered insight into life’s circumstances through losses in my own life and continues to offer hope to this day.

First, Job took the high road. Through his loss, though unimaginable and unbearable, he saw the glimpse of a bigger picture. He knew deep inside of himself that this happened in his life for a reason, one bigger than the circumstances indicated. His choice through it all was to keep his focus on his redeemer. God who blessed him would be the one to bring about his justification, in time. His response was, “the Lord gives and the Lord takes away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” And in Job 5:18, “For he injures, but his hands also heal.” This statement came from the heart of a man who knew his God. His faith and determination would be his sustaining and indelible witness to all who knew him.

Second, Job kept his integrity. Job 1:22: “In all this, Job did not charge God with any wrongdoing.” Although Job questioned the Lord, he chose not to blame God. We also ask questions because we don’t understand what is happening. God may or may not answer us immediately. In the case with Job, God sits back and listens to all that is said in the dissertation between Job and his friends, responding when ready. Even when Job is accused by his “friends” of wrong doing, of sinning against God and bringing judgment upon himself, God remains quiet. When the Lord finally chooses to speak, he affirms that Job spoke with integrity. Job remained the man he was, even in the midst of hurt and accusations. For us, having integrity is who we are. Once lost, it is very hard, if not impossible, to recapture. It must be guarded at all costs. No matter what we may be going through today, we are to hold fast our profession of faith in the midst of trials and let that witness speak for itself.

Finally, Job received his reward. God spoke to Job, reminding him that He was God, recounting all of his creation, completed by his great power. He spoke to his friends, and he spoke to the circumstances. Job received back all that he lost and was restored. What appeared to be impossible became a reality. This man was one who stood alone, trusted God and received his reward as such.

In these days, be reminded, revere God and trust in him. All will be well. Stand steady in faith and let your declaration be, “I know that my redeemer lives.”

XPatty Scahill of Austintown, who is a conference speaker, author and hospice chaplain, attends Christian Life Church in Canfield.