We begin our adventure in Job by looking at the first two chapters with the dynamic between Job and his friends, but not before the unnerving conversation between God and Satan.
Job was a man of great character and wealth. He was blessed with a large family and vast possessions. He was considered to be a man who was blameless,lived upright and feared God. Job 1:8 tells us that, “There is none like him on the earth.” He lived a blessed life with seven sons and three daughters and his wife. His possessions consisted of 7000 sheep, 3000 camel, 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkeys. He was a man of great wealth and means. It was Job’s character and integrity in God that made him a man above all others.
We see early in the book of Job that Satan comes before God to bring accusations of the character of Job. Satan, “the accuser of the brethren”, wastes no time in questioning Job’s character. He suggests to God that Job is only in “it” to get what he can from God. Certain that Job would stop praising Him, God permitted Satan to take all that Job had, including his children. Job withstood in spite of his devastation. I encourage you to read chapters 1 & 2 and witness the suffering of Job. In doing so you will see how Satan continues scheme by physically attacking Job’s body, stopping short of taking the life of Job.
So what does all this teach us? Often the question that arises is, “Why did God allow such suffering?” The real question is “What are you doing during those times of suffering?” There are going to be times in our life that things take a turn. It may seem like we have everything that we need and more, then the unexpected happens. It seems like we have lost everything. All certainty is shaken or worse – gone. But what do we do during those times?
Remember you are not alone. All your suffering, efforts, labors, and faithfulness will be rewarded in “that Day” when believers stand before the Lord (2 Tim. 1:12, 18; 2:12; 4:8; Phil. 1:6, 10; 2:16; James 1:12). The Lord will deliver you from all evil—in His time and way (2 Tim. 4:17-18) . Expect suffering—it is inevitable—but don’t forget the powerful resource that you have in Christ. Entrust your life to His ever-present care and control. He loves you, and He will help you endure .