"In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly, Job 1:22. In all this did not Job sin with his lips," Job 2:10.
These two verses contain high praise indeed. The phrase In all this refers to the trials that Job had just gone through. What trials they were. The sudden and total loss of his children and his servants who undoubtedly were dear unto him, his possessions and wealth. His health is also taken away and even his wife turns to mocking him and his faith in God. Were these not great trials?
Yet the full impact of Job's afflictions can not be understood unless we bear in mind the fact that it all happened so suddenly and unexpectedly. We tend to judge the matter from the standpoint of our knowledge. We know about the devil's assertion and God permitting him to try Job. Job did not. We know that God had the highest opinion of Job during this trial. Job did not. Above all, we know how it all ends. Job did not. How great, therefore, was his faith. As we look at the two verse please consider:—
I. WE KNOW NOT WHAT A DAY WILL BRING FORTH
Our earthly circumstances may change drastically in a moment.
1. There is a general rule of life. Godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come, I Tim 4:8.
2. Such a rule may be set aside. Joseph, David, Elijah, Jeremiah, Daniel, the Apostles, the reformers and martyrs. All were godly men who suffered. Job's loss took place on a day of sacrifice, 1:5, 13.
3. It behoves us to walk humbly every day. “Carry your gas mask” — slogan in war-time.
II. WHAT JOB WAS IN PROSPERITY HE WAS IN ADVERSITY
1. Notice that Job worshipped on good days and on evil days. He was God's man whether rich or poor, prosperous our afflicted.
2. He believed that God had a right to take his possessions.
v 21. He never lost sight of the source of his prosperity nor how he would leave all behind one day.
3. He who had faithfully prayed for his children blessed God in the day of their death. What a contrast is there here to David's lament in II Sam 18:33.
III. IN A DAY OF AFFLICTION WE MUST GUARD OUR TONGUES ESPECIALLY
Job reacted. He was not made of stone. In verse 20 we see the extremity of his anguish. But he did not speak foolishly or question God. There things we must remember when trial comes upon us.
Three things are required to successfully weather such a storm.
a]. FAITH. God does not change in His love and purpose.
b]. KNOWLEDGE. We must be aware of God's immutability.
c]. PATIENCE. We must patiently wait God's time of deliverance. Micah 7:8-9.
Here are truths which will promote such graces.
1. We will not lose in the end by our trial.
2. Satan will be defeated if we guard our tongues.
3. God will be greatly honoured.
IV. THE GOD OF JOB LIVES TODAY
* Job lived in a day of less knowledge, in a day of inferior means of grace, he was not surrounded by believers, he had not the plain records of the experiences of others to assist him cope with the trial.
* Above all he had not the record of the Saviour's sufferings and trials to set forth the sympathising Saviour Who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities.
* Therefore, victory in adversity is all the more assured to us.
In the end, Job was lifted to greater blessings than before. That may not always be the case here on earth but every believer can expect the deliverance from the trials of this life and a settling upon them the great bounty of God's reward.
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal, II Corinthians 4:17-18.