Trust

Jim Bucklew
Written By Jeff Rybacki
 
“There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.”
— Job 1:1

Job “feared God and turned away from evil.” He was “blameless and upright.” Seems that, as Christians, those are qualities we should be striving for in our own lives. Later, in verse 8, God is so pleased with Job that He’s almost bragging him up to Satan – like a proud parent: “And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?’” 

Well that was all the incentive Satan needed. He absolutely hates to see us humans in a healthy, loving relationship with God. So he received permission from God to “test” Job a bit (see verses 9-12). Of course, Satan’s real intent was to get Job to speak ill of God and sour/squelch the beautiful relationship they had. In one terribly bad day, Job lost his oxen, his donkeys, his sheep, his camels, his servants, and worst of all – every one of his sons and daughters (vv. 13-19). 

I can’t even begin to imagine the grief and agony Job must have felt that day. How did Job respond? Verse 20 tells us that he “fell on the ground and worshiped.” I don’t know about you, but I’m not sure that would have been my initial reaction to the events that had just taken place. I’m afraid that I would have at least grumbled and complained – intensely. But Job responded with, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” (v. 21) Verse 22 confirms that, “In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

Then it was time to turn up the heat. God gave Satan permission to directly attack Job physically. He “struck Job with loathsome sores from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head.” (2:7) Okay, now I know that I wouldn’t have responded well. I confess, I don’t do well with pain and sickness. Mind you, I don’t cower and snivel and feel sorry for myself; I often angrily fight against it. I can be downright unpleasant when I’m not feeling well. 

What did Job do? He scraped his sores with a broken piece of pottery and sat there (2:8). His wife could see how absolutely miserable he was, and said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” His reply was one demonstrating complete humility. He said to his wife, “Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” (2:10 NLT) Again, Scripture confirms that, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” (2:10b)

This brief passage is convicting on so many levels. When I look at the extreme suffering that Job went through, both physically and emotionally, I realize that my life’s “difficulties” pale in comparison. Most seem downright silly in that light. And then when I look at how Job responded – how he fell to the ground and worshiped – I am ashamed at how I often respond to troubles with annoyance, frustration, and sometimes even a bit of anger toward God. Sometimes I even get a little mouthy with Him. Ah, that most insidious source of sin in our lives – pride. Pride gets us to think that we know what should be. That we should be able to decide, choose, direct, fix, control, etc. Pride suggests that we shouldn’t experience adversity or discomfort of any sort. 

I think in the end it all comes down to trust. Do we trust God? Do we trust that He is good, and that He sometimes allows difficult circumstances for our ultimate growth and good? Do we trust in His sovereignty and that he works all things out according to His good purposes? Proverbs 3:5 says, “Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.” Jesus said in John 14:1, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in me.” (NIV)

Prayer

Father, please forgive us for the times that we question You, second guess You, even blame you.  We confess that it is only our pride that causes us to do anything besides simply trust You.  Lord, grant us the faith and humility exhibited by Job. Help us to worship you in the face of adversity. Help us to trust You, completely. Help us to trust in Your sovereign plans and purposes. Help us to honor You with our lips and with the attitude of our hearts. May we say with Job, “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”

In Jesus name, amen.

 
Jeff Rybacki
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