Out of the Ashes: God’s Presence in Job’s Pain

In this booklet by the Discovery Series the author talks about Job. Job was a man of integrity, was he not? He was a man of God who had everything…..until it was all taken away

Job’s estate included 7,000 sheep and goats, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys and a very large number of servants. “Job was the greatest man among all the people of the east.” (Job 1:3, CSB) He had 7 sons and 3 daughters.

Satan claimed that the only reason Job served God was because God had given Job everything! So God allowed Satan to test Job’s faith. Surely once he loses everything important to him, “he will surely curse you to your face.” So the Lord allowed Satan to strike everything Job owned but “do not lay a hand on Job himself.”

“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and reported: “While the oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing nearby, the Sabeans swooped down and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “God’s fire fell from heaven. It burned the sheep and the servants and devoured them, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” That messenger was still speaking when yet another came and reported: “The Chaldeans formed three bands, made a raid on the camels, and took them away. They struck down the servants with the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” He was still speaking when another messenger came and reported: “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house. Suddenly a powerful wind-swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on the young people so that they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you!” ‘ (Job 1:13-19, CSB)

Job’s response? “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

No matter what, Job remained faithful to God. He didn’t understand why he was having to suffer but he never once cursed God, as his wife told him he should do. Rather than “doubting the existence of God, Job’s suffering drove him to confirm it.”

“For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on the earth. (Job 19:25)

“Across the millennia, neither the nature nor the causes of suffering have changed.”

Because we live in a fallen world, we’re going to have periods of suffering. It’s inevitable. It’s how we choose to respond to the time of testing that show our true colors.

God loves us “with an everlasting love”. “Followers of Christ can embrace this with hope and confidence and can offer it to a world suffering more than we can imagine.”

If you are going through a period of suffering and despair, just remember this: God is right there with you and will never leave your side. Cling to Him….draw near to Him and He will draw near to You.