The story of Job in the Bible presents a puzzling scenario. Job was a righteous man who feared God and turned away from evil (Job 1:1). Yet, God allowed Satan to attack Job, taking away his health, wealth, and even his children. In the midst of intense suffering, Job cried out in anguish. However, he refused to curse God. Instead, Job declared, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). How could Job maintain such faith in God despite his tragic circumstances?
First, Job had a proper perspective of God’s sovereignty. He recognized that God is all-powerful and in complete control, even when it seems like life is out of control. After losing everything, Job worshipped God, saying, “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” (Job 1:21). Job acknowledged that all he had was from God’s hand. Therefore, God had the right to take it away according to His divine purposes. Job’s faith was grounded in God’s supreme authority over every aspect of life.
Second, Job knew that God is perfectly wise. During his sufferings, Job was confused, asking why this tragedy had happened. But he refused to make accusations against God. Instead, Job humbly acknowledged the limits of his own understanding, saying, “Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know” (Job 42:3). Job trusted that God had good reasons for allowing suffering, even if it went beyond Job’s finite comprehension. He believed that God’s plan was wiser than his own preferences.
Third, Job was confident in God’s faithfulness towards him. Despite the intense pain, loneliness, and confusion, Job clung to the bedrock belief that God was still good and still cared for him. “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face!” (Job 13:15). Even when circumstances were bleak, Job was convinced that God had not abandoned him. He looked forward to the day when he could come before God and make his case. Job trusted in God’s covenant loyalty towards him as one of His children.
Fourth, Job knew God would be his vindicator after death. Amidst accusations from his friends, Job maintained his integrity, saying, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26). Job had unshakable confidence that beyond the grave, the scales of justice would be balanced. His faith reached forward to the resurrection when God would set all things right.
Fifth, Job fixed his eyes on eternity. He understood that his life on earth was not all there is. Even if he lost everything in this world, Job knew his life and hope were secure with God forever. “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God” (Job 19:25-26). Job endured present losses because his view was set on the glory of the world to come.
The book of Job reminds us that trusting God does not mean pretending bad things don’t happen. Walking by faith means clinging to the truth of who God is even when circumstances seem to contradict it. Like Job, we can have unshakable confidence in God’s sovereignty, wisdom, faithfulness, justice, and eternal perspective. By God’s grace, we can declare with Job, “though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15).
(Job 1:1; Job 1:21; Job 13:15; Job 19:25-26; Job 42:3)
Job’s steadfast faith in God despite intense suffering provides a model for believers today. When we encounter trials, we can follow Job’s example by:
- Acknowledging God’s sovereign control over all circumstances
- Trusting God’s wisdom and believing He has good purposes even in painful situations
- Clinging to God’s faithfulness and love towards us as His children
- Looking forward to the day of resurrection and justice
- Setting our eyes on the eternal inheritance reserved for us in heaven
Like Job, we can say through tears of grief, “Though you slay me, yet will I praise you” (Job 13:15). Our faith rests on who God is, not our transitory circumstances. Though storms may come, our hope is securely anchored in the Rock of Ages. He will guide us through valleys of death to the house of the Lord, where we will dwell with Him forever.
In the midst of suffering, we may be tempted to turn away from God. However, like Job we must humbly surrender to God’s sovereign plan. We can be confident that He will use even our most painful experiences for our ultimate good and His glory. Someday we will see with utmost clarity that “no wisdom, no understanding, no counsel can avail against the Lord” (Proverbs 21:30). On that day, we will join with all the saints in declaring, “Great and amazing are your deeds, O Lord God the Almighty! Just and true are your ways, O King of the nations!” (Revelation 15:3).
Job never knew the reasons behind his suffering, but he clung to faith in his Redeemer. Often God’s ways are beyond our comprehension. But we can trust His unfailing love and wisdom. The day is coming when “He will wipe away every tear from [our] eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:4).
Like Job, we must fix our eyes on “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Christ alone can give us strength to endure adversity and hope that outlasts the grave. As we meditate on the gospel, our roots will sink deep into the love of Christ from which nothing can separate us (Romans 8:35-39).
By clinging close to our Redeemer, we can face every storm with unshakable confidence, declaring with Job, “though he slay me, I will hope in him” (Job 13:15). Our faith rests secure in the hands of the Almighty. Come what may, we are safe in our Rock and Refuge. His steadfast love endures forever. Though weeping endures for the night, joy comes with the morning. The Lord is good to those who wait for him (Lamentations 3:25). Let us wait with hope.