This morning, we continue our message series, “All In.”  So far, we were challenged to be all in for Jesus because Jesus is all in for us.  We were reminded to apply that small, but huge word: commit.  As we commit to being all in for Jesus this year, we may need to simplify our lives.  Last week, we were reminded that another possible way to be all in for Jesus this year is to simply DO IT AGAIN.

This week, we’re continuing on that theme as we learn the value of perseverance. 

As the day of the Lord draws ever nearer, we know full well from Jesus, Himself, that this world is going to grow darker.  He said that wars and famines and earthquakes and persecution and hate rising and love growing cold were only the beginning signs of the end times (Matthew 24).  He said that only the one who stands firm, the one who perseveres until the end would be saved.

For those attending our Bible Study Thursday evenings, you’re well familiar with the concept of perseverance.  As you’ve been persevering through chapter after chapter of the conversations about the trials and tribulations of Job, you’re learning what perseverance truly looks like.  AND, if you persevere until the last part of the last chapter, you’ll see just how valuable perseverance is!  You’ll read about what awaits those who remain steadfast their trust in God through adversity. 

God’s word calls us to:

James 5:7-11

7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

Now, let’s be honest.  Reading through the story of Job and thinking of the attributes of God that I see through it, compassion and mercy do not initially come to mind.  After all, the only thing that God withheld from the hand of Satan, himself, was Job’s life.

Well, Satan was permitted to take everything except for Job’s life along with his wife.  And…  What an encourager, support, and helper Job’s wife was, too! 

Job 2:9-10

9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”

10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

Permitting someone to endure pain and suffering and loss and torment as God did with Job is not how I would describe a compassionate and merciful person.  This would be true of God if the suffering was the end of Job’s story.  This would be true of God if there was no purpose behind the pain.  This would be true of God if doom was Job’s destiny.  However, it was not.

Perseverance.  Job displayed a deep understanding of perseverance in his response to his wife.  “Should we accept only good from God and not trouble?”  Job displayed a tremendous trust in God when he lost everything and fell to his knees in worship proclaiming, “The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, yet still His name is to be praised!”

Do not good and trouble both serve a purpose?  Isn’t it through the troubles that we grow the most?  Isn’t it through the troubles where our faith and trust are truly tested and put on display for all to see?  Isn’t it only through troubles that God’s miraculous, mighty ability to save is made known? 

Anyways, back to the fullness of God’s compassion and mercy through perseverance… 

The Greek word (oiktirmōn) used here for mercy is used only two other places in the scripture