Job’s story

Job lost his wealth, his health, and his children. The book he wrote is a conversation between himself and God. At the beginning of it, Job says, ‘Hear now my argument’ (Job 13:6 NIV). He’s asking, ‘Why has all this happened to me?’ At this point he’s totally self-focused. But by the middle of his book, Job has grown spiritually and now he takes a different approach. Instead of reasoning, he decides to stand on God’s Word: ‘But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread’ (Job 23:10-12 NIVUK). By the last chapter in his book, Job has decided to trust God completely: ‘I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted…My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you’ (Job 42:2, 5 NIV). Job has finally arrived at the place where he can say, ‘I trust God; there is no need to worry!’ After nine months of worrying, questioning, and reasoning, he decides he doesn’t need answers to all his questions, he only needs to know that God cares for him. And his story ends in these words: ‘The Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before’ (v.10 NIV). So whenever we have worries, let’s remember Job’s example, and keep our minds fixed on God and His love for us.