Finding God's Comfort # 1

Finding God's Comfort # 1

"I have heard of you by the hearing of the ear: but now my eye sees you. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

1. Afflictions
2. Afflictions Sanctified
3. An Appeal to God
4. Confession and Restoration

AFFLICTIONS

There is an ancient book called Job, which takes its name from the man whose story it tells. He lived in the land of Uz. He was a man of upright life and godly character. He had a large family and was very prosperous. The home life of his family was particularly happy. His children feasted together and their father took pains with their religious life.

The unselfishness of Job's piety was questioned in the heavenly councils by satan. God asked him, "Have you considered my servant Job? For there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil." satan answered suspiciously: "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land."

Thereupon satan received permission to test Job, who was then stripped of all his possessions and bereft of his children. When tidings of his sore losses were brought to him he exhibited deep grief - but he made no complaint; he only said, "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return there: Jehovah gave, and Jehovah has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord."

Again, there came a day when God talked with satan. God asked satan where he had been. satan replied that he had come "from going to and fro in the earth." This was satan's account of his occupation, not say what he had been doing in this hurried going from place to place. We know the kind of enjoyment which fills his hours. We know he is never the friend of men - and never the friend of good. He never goes about to bless people. Peter confirms satan's own statement that he is ever going about - but he adds a word, lifting the veil and showing how the adversary is engaged, what he does. He goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. So he is. He is very busy, truly - but he is busy finding ways to harm God's children.

We may take several lessons. satan's example of ceaseless activity in doing harm - should stimulate us to all manner of activities in doing good. It is a shame if the agencies of sin and evil are more diligent and earnest than the agencies of good and blessing. We should learn also not to be deceived by satan's professed interest in our lives. Though he transforms himself into the appearance of an angel of light, we know that under his shining robes - he hides the devouring lion's heart and the lion's ravenous cruelty.

As before, God asked satan if he had considered his servant Job, that "there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man." God knows when a man's life is good. His judgment never errs. We may be deceived in others. We may think they are upright and worthy, when in reality their lives are hollow. Every now and then we hear or know of a man long supposed to be honest and true, respected and trusted by his fellows, who is suddenly unmasked and seen to be only a mockery of the virtues and excellences of which he seemed so long the very embodiment. But when God passes on a man a eulogy like this on Job, it is a true judgment, for he sees the heart and knows what is in man. We need not be indifferent to the approval of men - but it matters little if we have this, if we know that God does not approve us. And if men condemn us, it need not break our peace - if we know that God approves and is pleased with us.

God had more to say about Job: "He still holds fast his integrity, although you moved me against him, to destroy him without a cause."

It is a noble thing to see, when a man stands steadfast and faithful to God in the midst of trials and adversities. Such a man is like a mighty rock under the beatings of the angry waves of the sea. Thus Job stood. Trial after trial came. His property was swept away by marauders and by fire, and his children were crushed by falling walls, until in a little while he was stripped of all he had and left a childless man! His heart was broken with sorrow - but his faith failed not. The Lord kept his eye upon his servant and was pleased to see how trustingly he endured his losses and sorrows.

Do we meet trials in the same way, holding fast our integrity, although the hand of God rests heavily upon us? The affliction of Job, as described here from the divine side, suggests to us what may oftimes be the cause of trouble in the lives of God's children. Job suffered to prove to a scoffing adversary the  genuineness of his religion. Job did not know why these sore losses came about him. Likewise, we do not know when we are in trouble - why God sends or permits the affliction. But we should always bear ourselves so as to honor God, and prove the reality and sincerity of our faith.

~J. R. Miller~

(continued with # 2)