Where Do You Place Your Faith?

There are some that believe that as soon as you become a Christian the road should be smooth; that you don’t need to accept illness, poverty, calamity, etc. The problem is, this isn’t what the Bible teaches. If you hold to those tenants, you need to somehow reconcile this with the book of Job.

A quick read into Job, explains that

There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job; and that man was blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil. Seven sons and three daughters were born to him. His possessions also were 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and very many servants; and that man was the greatest of all the men of the east. Job 1:1-3.

The first three verses tell us a few things about this man. He is described as “blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil.” A perfect description of what every believer should aspire to certainly. Job was not perfect in the sense of being sinless. This would go against the Biblical teaching that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). What it is saying is that from a human point of view, he was without blame and could not be charged with any moral failure by his fellow men.

We also learn that by the standards of the day, he was very wealthy. We would consider this to be as a result of God’s blessing on his life. Yes, his greatness consisted not only in his earthly possessions, but also in his moral and spiritual standings.

A few key passages then occur.

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came before them…The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” Job 1:6, 8.

Stop and consider this statement for a moment. This is God, the Almighty, the Creator of the universe, describing Job! These are God’s words! Amazing!

But watch what Satan says in response:

“Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” Job 1:9-11.

Satan lives up to his reputation as described in Revelation 12:10: “the accuser of [the] brethren … he who accuses them before our God day and night.” First, Satan questions Job’s motives by asking if Job fears God for nothing. But then he explains that God has protected Job with a “hedge about him.” In fact, God has protected Job, his house, his possessions, and even his family. In other words, what we learn from this is that Satan is completely under God’s power and authority. Moreover, never assume that Satan is on an equal footing with God. I used to be under the false presumption that it was always a war between God and Satan. There is no war. Satan is no where near being God’s equal and opposite. Yes, Satan opposes God, but he is no where equal to Him in power.

Satan then tells God that if He would remove the hedge and take away everything Job has, Job will curse God. It’s an accusation for false motives for Job.

Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. Job 1:12.

A simple but powerful verse that demonstrates that God is always in control of everything. It also demonstrates that Satan can only act within God’s control. But what is implied is that God left it up to Satan to do his worst, he just could not kill job or take his life.

What happens next is that Satan arranges the following events in rapid succession:

1. The Sabeans (a nomadic Bedouin tribe) come and take all of Job’s oxen and donkeys and kill the servants tending to them.
2. A “rain of fire” comes down (possibly lightning) and burns up the sheep and the servants tending to them.
3. The Chaldeans (nomadic marauders) came and raided Job’s camels and killed the servants tending to them.
4. While Job’s children were at his oldest son’s house, a great wind came and blew the house down killing them all.

What would you do? Put this in today’s terms. Let’s say your house was broken into and all of your possessions were stolen. Let’s say there was a lightning storm that struck your wood-shake roof and the house burned to the ground. Let’s say you were car-jacked and your car was stolen. Let’s say your kids were all at your eldest son’s house and there was an earthquake and the house collapsed killing them all. What would you do?

Speaking for myself, our house was burglerized several years ago and my favorite guitars were stolen along with some camera equipment. I remembered being really upset and may not have handled it well. But I also remembered praying that God would put it on the heart of whoever did it to just return the items and “no harm, no foul.” I actually meant that. I wouldn’t have asked any questions, I just wanted our stuff back.

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. Job 1:20.

What I found comforting in this simple reaction is that Job grieved. In other words, he didn’t remain stoic and strong. He remained human. But the part that we may find incredible is that he worshiped God in the midst of these terrible events. He placed his faith in God.

He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed by the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. Job 1:21-22.

This is the proper response. Job, in spite of his “greatness” in wealth, possessions, etc., he had a light touch on them. He acknowledged where those blessings came from, including his children. Everything belongs to God. And even though God eventually will increase Job’s possessions after the many trials he endures, it’s his faith that is increased in his life. May our faith be increased when we struggle and endure suffering. May He Increase!