Job lived through calamity.

If you have read the beginning of the book of Job, “calamity” may be putting it mildly. Job was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. He’s the kind of guy you just want to like and admire.

Suddenly, the story shifts and all these good things disappear.
His wealth, gone. His children, gone. His health, gone.
His wife tells his to curse God and die.
His friends offer comfort and effectually rub salt in his open wounds!

All this suffering came because Satan accused Job before God, questioned his faith and loyalty in the face of great turmoil. Just like Job did, we want to demand a reason. This whole story bucks against our own sense of what is right and what is just. Yet, as the story continues, we learn, along with Job, that human suffering often remains a secret to human beings. Just like Job, we cry out in anger, frustration and demand that God answer; but find that a full understanding of God’s reasons for events is not needed for
faithfulness in the midst of terrible suffering.

James 5:11 says, “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” Job is remembered as one who was faithful and in the end was restored and redeemed. Job’s life is a reminder to trust and obey in the midst of calamity. It enables us to support and encourage one another with tenderness and humility just like it says in Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.”

We continue to face calamity.
We may be asking, “How much more can I take?”, “How long Lord, how long?”, “What is your purpose in this?”
I’ve personally been asking these questions and although, Job’s friend Eliphaz may have missed the mark on encouragement, I do find one of his statements about God reassuring. “For He wounds, but He binds up; He shatters, but his hands heal.” (5:18)

I trust that in all of this; God will bind, God will heal.
May the Lord bless you and keep you today.
Trust in His hands and remain secure in His plan.