Why are some people able to persevere through adversity, whereas others are crushed by their problems? When you realize that the difficulties you encounter have a purpose, then you have the ability to withstand them. What enabled Job to persevere through the many challenges that he faced? Job was able to look beyond His suffering and realize God’s presence and purpose in his difficulties,

But He knows the way I take; when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)

When you’re up to your armpits in alligators you may be unsure of the way, but it’s a comfort to know that God knows the way. The word know, describes knowledge that is intimate and experiential. Job took comfort in God’s omniscience since the context revealed that Job was searching for God,

Oh that I knew where I might find Him, that I might come to His seat! (Job 23:3)

It’s comforting to know that if you cannot find God, that He can find you. Job experienced devastating losses but He trusted in God’s purposes. Charles Spurgeon illustrated God’s sovereign hand in our lives, “Troubles do not spring out of the ground like weeds that grow randomly, but they grow orderly as plants set in the garden. God appoints the weight and number of all our adversities.”

You will encounter difficulties in life and they can be an opportunity for God to refine you. Job realized that the pain he was experiencing was refining the dross from his life. God used the trials to deepen Job’s character and increase his knowledge of God. Job was able to trust God because he sought to be obedient to God,

My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. (Job 23:11)

Job was committed to following God regardless of his circumstances because he had a strong desire to be in God’s presence,

I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)

Warren Wiersbe writes, “When God puts His own people into the furnace, He keeps His eye on the clock and His hand on the thermostat.” Job modeled this truth and rested on God’s faithfulness. The hymn, How Firm A Foundation, expresses this eternal truth,

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace all-sufficient shall be thy supply;

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine

Seneca taught, “Fire is the test of gold; adversity of strong men.” What challenges are you facing? Remember that God is refining your life so that you may come forth as gold. May you keep His perspective as you face the trials in life,

Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. (2 Corinthians 4:16)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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