We’re in GO(O)D’S Hands

“Thou hast granted me life and favor, and Thy visitation hath preserved my spirit.” – Job 12:10 (21st Century King James Version)

These words were spoken by Job, a man whom God Himself declared in heaven before Satan that he was “a perfect and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil”(Job 1:8). Ironically, at the time Job utters these words of praise, he is not looking or feeling very much like who God said he is.

Most people are familiar with the story of Job. He was prosperous and healthy enjoying his life with his wife and children. All was going well until one day all hell broke loose. Suddenly, Job suffered a series of tragic losses: his livestock, his children, and even his own health. In the face of all his suffering, even his wife rejects him and his dearest friends accuse him of being a sinner who must have made God angry and is therefore getting what he deserves.

Now most of us have not had to suffer what Job did and, hopefully, we never will suffer as much as Job did at one time. Still, we are all old enough and have had enough life experiences to know that life will deal us some rough, hard, painful situations at times. Financial setbacks, family troubles, broken relationships, lingering illnesses, natural disasters and ultimately death are common to us all at one point or another.

Even so, we are not left without hope. The Bible tells us “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all” (Psalm 34:19) It goes on to assure us “For we know that all things work together for the good of them who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ told us, “In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world” (John 16:33) 

These are just a few of the precious promises God has given us in the Scriptures to anchor our souls when we are caught in the storms of life.

What can we learn from Brother Job? A few things actually. The greatest lesson we learn from him is to trust in God’s love for us even when we can’t see or don’t feel like we have it. Let’s examine Job’s words more closely. He says to God at one point, “Though you slay me, yet will I trust you” (Job 13:15) It is our trust in the Lord that enables us to give Him the sacrifice of praise. When Satan accuses God of being unkind or unjust, we must find the strength to openly declare that the Lord is good any way!

But exactly how do we do that? The answer is the second lesson we learn from Brother Job. Job didn’t allow himself to have a pity party full of complaints and bitterness. Instead, he remembers the blessings God had given to him previously and expresses his gratitude for what he had. This is what we must do as well. Rather than focus on the present difficulties and challenges facing us, we must recall the blessings we once had and give thanks!

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Once we do so, we will be able to learn our third and final lesson from Brother Job. We find Job expressed his hope that God’s presence would preserve his spirit. What does this mean? It means Job expected God to keep his soul even if he never regained all that he had lost.

And that is what suffering can do for us. Through our suffering we see clearly what has eternal value is our salvation and eternal home with God. Jesus asked, “What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26) When we allow our relationship with God to become all that matters to us, we will experience a peace that passes understanding and joy unspeakable and full of glory.

In conclusion, remember that your life, my life and all of our lives are in God’s hands. Even though His ways are not our ways, He knows what He is doing. We can trust Him even when we are suffering. Then we can declare like Job, “I know that my Redeemer lives, and I shall stand with Him on the earth at the last day” (Job 19:25)  Please remember, we’re in good hands with God.