GOD'S FAITHFULNESS THROUGH OUR SUFFERING

The Bible didn't say anything about the background of Job's wife. However, she had been married to Job. She had seven sons and seven daughters (Job 1:2). Her husband, Job, was a devoted follower of God (Job 1:1). Their family was the wealthiest in the entire region (Job 1:3). We could tell that she had lived a comfortable life; however, when she lost all her children, their family's wealth, and the health of her husband, it was too great for her to bear. Her faith in God began to crumble. Her praise and worship of God turned to bitterness and disillusionment. When she said these words to her husband, Job, "Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die" (Job 2:9), she was saying these through her anguish and broken heart. In her understanding, God had abandoned them, and there was no point in continuing to be devoted to God. But Job answered her with these words, "You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" (Job 2:10). Job maintained his faith in God, even though He couldn't understand why all these things were happening to him and his family. This was the only conversation between Job and his wife that was recorded in the Bible until God restored them. At the end of the story, as Job maintained his faith in God, God restored his life even more than in the beginning. He gained his wealth back, and God blessed him and his wife with seven more sons and three daughters (41:12-13). They could not get back what they had lost, such as the lives of their children, but God gave them a new life and family. 

We can learn from Job's wife's side of the story that God was faithful even when we lost our faith in Him. God could have judged her and taken her life in the midst of her bitterness, but God kept his silence. But in His silence, He was watching over her. His love for her is much greater than how she was feeling. God eventually restored her and her husband, and she was given a second life of family. Her sorrow turned to joy again, and her faith in God was renewed. In Isaiah 41:10, God says, "Don't be afraid, for I am with you. Don't be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand." There are moments in our lives as we go through life's changes, challenges, difficulties, and sufferings when we will falter in our faith in God. We will doubt His goodness and even have resentment against Him because we do not understand why He allows things in our lives. However, God is reminding us that when those painful circumstances happen to us suddenly, do not be discouraged, but keep our faith up, for He is with us, giving us the help and strength that we need. 

We may not have the answers that we are looking for right away, but He is always near us with His love watching over us. There will be a time when all sufferings, death, and sins will cease to exist, and His righteousness and eternal life will reign forevermore. 

Questions for application: (Think through these questions carefully, meditate on them while answering them, and let the Spirit of God speak to you.) What does God want me to do when I am going through suffering that is beyond my understanding? What does God promise that He will do when I am in doubt and struggling with my faith due to pain and suffering? What lesson can I learn from Job's wife about God's faithfulness in her life?

Take a moment to write down all your worries today. Then, lift them up to God in prayer, surrendering them to His will and trusting in His guidance.

Prayer:

Dear Father in Heaven, you know everything that is going on in my life right now. There are things that I do not understand and are beyond my understanding, but I believe that you are here with me. Please reassure me with your presence and surround my heart with your peace today. In the name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.