Surviving Through Worship

Read Job 1:6–2:10. What caused Job’s suffering?

There is something astonishing here. The angels come to see God,

and Satan comes with them. God asks Satan where he has been, and

Satan replies that he has been “ ‘roaming throughout the earth, going

back and forth on it’ ” (Job 1:7, NIV). Then God poses this question:

“ ‘Have you considered my servant Job?’ ” (Job 1:8, NIV). The question

itself is not remarkable; what is remarkable is the One who asks it. It

isn’t Satan who points out Job as a subject for examination—it’s God.

Knowing exactly what is going to follow, God calls Job to Satan’s atten-

tion. Down on the earth, Job has absolutely no idea how hot his crucible

is about to become. And though it’s very clear that it is Satan, not God,

who causes Job’s suffering, it also is clear that it is God who gives His

explicit permission for Satan to destroy Job’s possessions, children,

and his own physical health. If God is giving permission for Job to suf-

fer, what difference does it make whether God or Satan is personally

inflicting the suffering? How can God be righteous and holy when He

actively allows Satan to cause Job such pain? Is this situation a special

case, or is it characteristic of the way God still deals with us today?

In Job 1:20, 21, how does Job respond to the trials?

It is possible to respond to such suffering in two ways. We can

become bitter and angry, turning our backs on a God we believe to be

cruel or nonexistent, or we can hang on to God more tightly. Job deals

with his catastrophe by staying in God’s presence and worshiping Him.

In Job 1:20, 21, we see three aspects of worship that may help when

in anguish. First, Job accepts his helplessness and recognizes that he has

no claim to anything: “ ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and

naked I will depart’ ” (Job 1:21, NIV). Second, Job acknowledges that

God is still in total control: “ ‘The Lord gave and the Lord has taken

away’ ” (Job 1:21, NIV). Third, Job concludes by reasserting his belief

in the righteousness of God. “ ‘May the name of the Lord be praised’ ”

(Job 1:21, NIV).

Going through a trial? Follow the steps that Job used. How might

they help you, as well?