Profiles Of Faith

by J.R. Bronger

Job was quite a man. In the rush of his immense suffering he said, “But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:10-12).

A crisis helps to reveal what a person is made of; it gives birth to spiritual greatness. We often put it this way. “When the going gets tough, the tough get going,” “No pain no gain,” “When the world gives you a lemon, make lemonade.” However, the Bible says it like this, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience” (James 1:2-3).

Job was a good man who faced unimaginable hardships. Abruptly stripped of everything which a man loves and depends upon; he lost his wealth, his health, and his children and even the understanding of his wife. When this happened Job stood exposed before God and the world. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there” (Job 1:21). Let’s consider how Job handled the tragedies and hardships thrust upon him.

“But He knows the way that I take” (Job 23:10). No matter what is happening, God knows and He is in control. Often the disasters in his life blinded Job to this truth, but he always returned to this fact (Job 7:17). Uncertainty would begin seeping into Job’s heart, but when it did he always returned to the knowledge that God is in control despite his sufferings. Witnessing the incomprehensible anguish that many are now enduring I believe it is crucial we get our spiritual bearings on this point. When lives are shattered, often the first causality is forgetting that the heavenly Father loves us and is in complete control. Jesus said, “Are not five sparrows sold for two copper coins? And not one of them is forgotten before God. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:6-7). Adversities will come, but God has not left his throne; God is still in control. In this life all we are able to see is the present suffering; we can’t see the end from our perspective, but God can (cf. Isaiah 46:10).

“Blows that hurt cleanse away evil, as do stripes the inner depths of the heart” (Proverbs 20:30). By applying patience and wisdom, adversities help us to see things from God’s viewpoint. However, the devil tries to convince us that God is not in control, or that he doesn’t care about us (cf. Job 1:10-11). These lies of Satan are frontal assaults both on God and on man’s faith. If we accept these lies we will end up blaming God for our adversities and this inevitably leads to apostasy. Those who came to Job to comfort him did not have a clue as to what was happening. For example, Eliphaz said, “Job, you lack integrity, you are being punished” (Job 4:7). These “comforters” tried to put Job and his suffering into a philosophy that did not fit; they simply didn’t understand. They were like so many who simply do not understand adversities in the lives of the faithful.

“When He has tested me” (Job 23:10). Job viewed his suffering as a testing. No matter who we are, we will be tested. Job was tried; Job’s faith and his endurance were put to the test. Contrary to what many believe the righteous are not exempt from testing; the opposite is true. “People are a lot like tea bags, you don’t know what’s in them until you drop them in hot water.” We don’t know what kind of material we are made of until we face difficulties or misfortune in our lives. “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you” (I Peter 4:12). “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (I Peter 1:6-7). Adversities test us. They prove our mettle. Many outwardly sound Christians have failed miserably during the hour of fiery trials. During these adversities some become psychologically handicapped. They become bitter and begin engaging in sinful indulgences. As with Job, individuals in crisis will either grow stronger or become demoralized. But remember, God never intends for trials to destroy us (cf. James 1:2-3).

“I shall come forth” (Job 23:10). Job finally was able to see beyond his temporary trials, and saw that the harsh conditions would end. “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (I Corinthians 10:13). Paul clearly makes it known that trials and adversities are not eternal, they will run their course; the clouds of adversity will give way to sunshine. “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12). Those who endure are those who do not collapse under the weight of hardships. On one occasion Jesus watched as the disciples were “straining at rowing, for the wind was against them” (Mark 6:48). Then after hours of struggling, the Lord showed up and put an end to their struggle. But first the disciples had to endure. Job was confused, he wished he had never been born, but he endured. Job became angry with his “miserable comforters” (Job 16:2), but he endured. Job endured, and he became a pattern for all who suffer to follow (James 5:11). Job did not know the reason for his adversities. All he knew was that he had devoted his life to serving God and yet he suffered (Job 19:25-26). So, Job prepared himself to accept that the matter may never be resolved in this life. But some day the suffering would stop and goodness would overwhelm him. No matter what, Job would not curse God and die.

“I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and not turned aside” (Job 23:11). This was Job’s way of expressing what Paul would later write, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). All things might not be resolved as we think they should, but they will be settled in a way that is for the ultimate good of God; accordingly it will be for our eternal good as well. As strange as it might seem, there are blessings to be received after we have come through our adversities. Life’s trials force us to depend upon God – this is faith. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6). Sadly, many never learn the value of a divine partnership with God when faced with adversity. Life is not fair; we will encounter life shattering adversities. The problems we face might seem to be so overwhelming that we cannot possibly continue, but we can.

Obey the Lord and live faithful in face of all adversities. “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (II Corinthians 4:17).The Lord will not build a hedge around us protecting us from the trials and tragedies of life, but He will enter into our suffering bringing us safely to the other side.