God is the most patient, relentless, and loving Father we will ever encounter. Unfortunately, many people of our day have turned to the false teaching that says if everything isn’t “good” in your life than you aren’t “right” with God.
Life in the time of Job was very different from now. Christ had not yet died to make the faithful righteous in His sight. Righteousness in the Old Testament was credited to those who had faith in God and the coming promise of the Messiah. (Romans 4) When I use the word faith, I am not talking about how some understand that word. It’s not just mustering up enough belief inside our hearts and minds to convince us of truth. Many people deceive themselves with this kind of “faith.”
As James would write and Jesus would demonstrate, true faith is active. Although works verify faith, they do not have the power to save. Just as a tree nourished and fed properly produces good fruit, an authentic faith produces the fruits of the Spirit. Many will try and replicate authentic faith externally by producing “fruit” that looks similar to the Holy Spirit, but God sees the heart.
How is this relevant to this chapter?
Job is being rebuked for questioning God’s long-term plan, which it seems he knows little about. He longs for someone to mediate his case before the judge. These are completely natural thoughts. If we were in his shoes at that time, I’m certain we would feel the same way. But here’s the kicker – we’re not.
We have Jesus, who died for us to secure our place in God’s kingdom for eternity. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, sealing us as God’s children and leading us against the enemy of darkness in spiritual places. We have the full canon of Scripture, which has been broken down and studied for years by solid scholars and theologians as well as translated into about every version and reading level you can imagine.
We are not like Job, and really should not be expected to respond exactly like him. Yes, there are times we can relate to his feelings and emotions as he struggles. Of course, there is practical truth and application we can take from his life. But let’s be honest – with all God has done for us, (which we didn’t deserve), how can those of us with authentic faith not have joy?
God rescues the afflicted by their affliction; He instructs them by their torment.
Job 36:15 HCSB
Through faith, our rescue will come through our afflictions. Some of the most joyful stories of your life will come from the most horrendous tragedies. This is the God we serve! God instructs us by our torment. If He doesn’t, then how do we possibly move on from anything with hope?
How are you living today? Faith tells us that we are saved for eternity but also that God is working in our current situation. Either way, it’s a win! As Paul said, to live is Christ and to die is gain!