Job 1:21-22 says, “Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. 22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.”
Eric went to work one day, just like any other day. The day started out like usual. He came into the building, clocked in, and greeted his coworkers who had already arrived at the plant. Eric checked out the gear and tools he needed for his workstation and proceeded to his department. The day seemed to go along well and promising, yet the unexpected happened.
Late in the afternoon, Eric was called into his supervisor’s office and informed that he was being laid off due to the company’s downsizing. On his way home, Eric hit a pothole and had a blowout. While on the side of the road, changing his tire, it began pouring down rain. After grabbing his spare tire from the trunk, he noticed it was flat. Then, Eric tried to call a tow truck, but his cell phone battery was dead. After a while in the rain and several drivers passing him, an elderly couple stopped by to help Eric. However, the couple had no cell phone. Still, they kindly offered to give him a ride anywhere he needed to use a phone or find assistance.
Eric’s circumstances were unfortunate but didn’t compare to what Job experienced. In Job 1, starting at verse 13, Job suddenly experiences the loss of his cattle, servants, and children. His business and life were bankrupt all at once.
Many of us can relate to Eric or Job in the scripture text. We have all had instances where we experienced one life-changing setback after another. Job was a man of faith, perfect and upright, who revered God and stayed away from evil. Still, he experienced hardship.
Contrary to what many say about the Christian faith, we experience times when one trouble follows another. Being perfect and upright before God doesn’t change the fact that we live in a fallen world full of trouble. However, in God, we trust His sovereignty and His promises to watch over us, protect us, and work all things together for our good (Romans 8:28).
Psalms 91:11 says,” For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” So, even though our faith is in God and we expect the best of circumstances, things can catch us off guard.
Notice the faith of Job! He worshipped God, uplifting Him while acknowledging the things he lost in the world as secondary. It put me in the mind of the old song:
“My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame but wholly lean on Jesus’ name.”
“On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand: all other ground is sinking sand…”
Despite all he lost, Job didn’t blame God. He trusted God, even when he didn’t understand what was happening. He still had to process all the feelings that went along with his circumstances, and we will, too. Yet, he held on to his integrity (Job 2:9), and we must do the same.
I don’t know what you are going through that has felt like one circumstance on top of the other, but like Job, don’t lose your faith in God.
You don’t get it. Why did these things have to happen? You have tried so hard to hold things together but trust God anyway. Others misunderstand and offer unsolicited advice but continue to stand on the truth of God’s word despite your situation.
I know you don’t feel like praying, but pray anyway. You may feel alone and that no one understands. Yet, the Lord will be a friend who sticks closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Businesses are closing, our dollar is losing its value every day, the economy is shaky, crime is at an all-time high, people are dying, and the nation is on edge. So much in the world today seems hopeless, and we don’t know who to believe in government. Still, we put our trust in the Lord.
In Matthew 24:35, Jesus says, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.” What does His word say about your circumstances? Put your trust in that because “All other ground is sinking sand.”
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