There are statements that have credibility only if they are made by people who have experienced what they are describing. For example, why should you listen to someone about investment strategies if they are struggling financially? Conversly, you tend to listen to the person who has been in the trenches and has achieved success in the endeavor of your interest. For those of you who are facing difficulties, Job was a seasoned veteran when it comes to suffering. He lost his wealth, his children, and his wife encouraged him to “curse God and die”, but Job never lost his perspective of God:

He (Job) said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. (Job 1:21-22)

Job had the spiritual maturity to accept not only good, but also adversity from God. After Job made this statement, his suffering intensified. We find that we have the ability to persevere for a short time, but eventually we may start to lose hope. Job realized that there are no hopeless situations, only people who have grown hopeless about them. This is the reason why he made the amazing declaration that regardless of his circumstances he would continue to hope in God:

Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. (Job 13:15)

Job’s testimony was a demonstration of God’s confidence in Job against Satan’s accusation that Job only feared God because God had blessed him. The Hebrew word for hope conveys the idea of patiently waiting with an expectation of aid or help. Job’s statement is the Old Testament response to the Apostle Paul’s question, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ?” Paul emphatically affirmed:

For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39)

Job was able to declare his hope in God because of his intimate relationship with God. The latter part of the verse revealed why Job was able to maintain hope in the midst of darkness. Job believed God’s acceptance of his righteousness, even when all earthly appearances belied God’s acceptance of Job.

Is this not the way Satan attacks us today? Satan’s strategy is to make you feel that God does not love you and he wants to separate you from God’s love. The times when we feel most overwhelmed by doubt and despair are the times when we must tenaciously cling to God’s love and realize that nothing can separate you from God’s love – not even your self doubts!

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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