The opening chapters of Job are filled with unusual sights, terrible circumstances, intriguing dialogue, and most of all, incredible faith! It is surprising to read the conversation between God and Satan. It is surprising to read the tragic events traumatically unfold in Job’s life. The most surprising element of all, though, is that Job remains steady as the initial shockwaves roll over him! There are at least two insights we can glean from these passages which point to how Job’s faith remained in place when everything around him came unwound!
First, he believed that God was sovereign. “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). Job knew that God was in control of all events and that Job was not. If God is in control, events, though tragic, are not accidental, coincidental, or without purpose.
Second, he knew that he did not deserve grace. “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (2:10) Job knew that he had no right or merit to expect that God would only bestow good upon him. When we receive good from God, it is grace. Because of our sin, it is evil that we should expect, and it is grace that should surprise us!
These are surely not the extent of Job’s faith, but they surely are part of it. Therefore, when he lost his possessions, his health, his children, and the support of his wife, he still did not lose his faith! “In all this Job did not sin or charge god with wrong” (1:22). And, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips” (2:10). This is the most surprising element in this narrative! We so easily blame God and lose our joy in difficult days. Remember, God is sovereign. Remember, grace is a gift. And keep your faith!
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