January 25th

Job 22:1-25:6

One of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, summarized why he and the others believed that Job was suffering. “Is it because of your reverence for Him that He accuses and judges you? Not at all! Is it because of your wickedness! Your guilt has no limit. Stop quarreling with God! If you agree with Him, you will have peace at last and things will go well for you. If you return to the Almighty and clean up your life, you will be restored” (22:4, 5, 21, 23).

Job’s friends thought like many people today, that suffering is always a result of sin. While suffering may be the result of sin, it is not always the case, as we see with Job. He was upright, a man of integrity, and yet God still allowed him to suffer. “He knows where I am going,” Job said, “and when He has tested me like gold in a fire, He will pronounce me innocent. For I have stayed in God’s paths; I have followed His ways and not turned my heart” (23:10-12).

Scripture is replete with the fact that sin has its consequences; but while many of our problems today may be a result of personal wrongdoing and self-centered decisions, we must make room for the fact that, in His plan for our lives, God does test us at times.

We just finished the story of Joseph. He was a good man to whom many bad things happened. But Joseph’s perspective was the right perspective — God allows us to endure trials for our good and His glory. Job confirmed this truth, when he said, “When He has tested me like gold in a fire, He will pronounce me innocent” (23:10b).

God is not interested in our convenience or ease. He desires that we grow in faith and Christ-like character, and that can only be achieved through various trials and tribulations.

Daily Reflection

How do you typically react to suffering? Do you get angry with God, feel yourself wanting to abandon Him, or seek to learn from it?

What did Job mean when he said that he was like gold being tested in fire? How is gold improved by flames? Relate this truth to yourself.

Do you trust God enough to remain faithful to Him in the midst of your suffering? God can only do good, and, thus, all that happens in your life, though viewed as “bad,” He will work for good.

“Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you encounter various trials and tribulations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2, 3).

BiAY.org | Day 25 — 340 Days to Go