Many Christians are suffering through a terrible ordeal as the result of the Coronavirus.
Some have lost their jobs or businesses. Others have suffered from loss of loved ones or the disease itself. For these believers, the testimony of a man who lost his prosperity, his children, and suffered from a terrible disease can show us how to endure an ordeal. His name was Job.
The Bible says that God will humble and test us (Deuteronomy 8:2), and He allowed Job to be tested for reasons that no one then or now fully understands. Some say it was fear for his children that gave Satan a foothold, while others say God was showing him off to Satan. Our favorite theory is that God allowed Satan to test Job in hopes that Satan would repent. But it was not the reason that the mattered, it was Job’s faith filled response, paraphrased below, which allowed him to endure the ordeal.
When the first calamity hit Job and he lost his prosperity and his children he refused to abandon his faith:
“No matter what happens I will bless the name of the Lord.” – Job 1:20-21
Then, after he lost his health and his wife told him to curse God and die, he refused to rebel against God:
“No matter what happens I will accept what God does.” – Job 2:10
After that his friends came, not to comfort, but to condemn him. They falsely accused him and even when they spoke the truth it was in the wrong spirit. Job knew better and held firmly to his faith:
• “Though God slay me I will hope in Him.” – Job 13:15
• “God is my advocate and friend.” – Job 16:19-21
• “I know He lives and will give me life forever.” – Job 19:25-27
• “He will test me but I will be refined as gold.” – Job 23:10
• “I will not speak falsely about God. I will speak truth.” –Job 27:3,4
• “The fear of the Lord is wisdom. I will do right.” –Job 28:28
Finally Job poured his heart out to God. The Lord did not explain Himself to Job but instead showed Job His majesty. And Job renewed his devotion to God:
• “I will not argue with You.” –Job 40:4
• “Even though I do not understand, I will trust you” – Job 42:2-6
Then God began the process of Job’s restoration by having him pray for his friends who had sinned against him by their judgements (Job 42:7-9). Forgiveness, it seems, is the key to many doors.
After this God restored Job’s prosperity and gave him more children. The Bible says that the later part of his life was more blessed than the former part (Job 42:12).
So remember the righteous man Job as you suffer through an ordeal like his. Keep your faith and trust in God even though you do not understand why this test has come to you.
One day, you will be able to rejoice in your restoration and you can say like Job “He will test me but I will be refined as gold.”