The Old Testament book of Job is worth the read.

God allowed Satan to test Job, and the result was a horrible time of trial. He lost his family. He lost his possessions. He lost his health. Things got so bad that his wife asked him why he didn’t ‘curse God and die’ (Job 2:9).

The book is filled with Job’s questions and complaints and the miserable comfort of his friends, but there are some important statements found throughout. These are Job’s statements of faith, and they are statements that I find worth repeating in my own life.

Job 13: ¹⁵ Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him.¹⁶ He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before Him.

Job’s faith in God was not based on what God could or would do for him. It was based on the very character of God. Job chose to remain true, even in trial. Job had trusted God in life; he could trust Him for his life.  

Job 19:²⁵ For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth:²⁶ And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God:²⁷ Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

Job did not have a canon of scripture to study; He lived before the law was given. But he knew that he had a Redeemer, and he knew that in the end he would be with his Redeemer. How many times have I sung that first line in Easter cantatas? How many times have I restated my own faith “I know that my Redeemer lives!” Job was assured, even in the time of his greatest trial that God was at work.

Job 23:¹⁰ But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.

Job knew that his life was in the hands of the Father, and that God had a purpose in all that He allowed in Job’s life. Job knew that the end result would be good.

That is faith at work.

Sometimes our faith struggles when things happen that we don’t understand. We want everything to turn out the way that we planned. In fact, we often put our agenda out and just ask God to bless it, and we are perturbed when He does not do what we expected.

Job struggled with the harsh trials that he faced, but he reoriented himself with the statements of faith. He brought his focus back to the God he knew and served.

We can do the same. When we are caught in trial, that is a good time to remind ourselves of the things we know.

• I know God loves me.
• I know that God is good.
• I know that God is faithful.
• I know that God will redeem my times of trial.
• I know God hears me.
• I know….

Today, I rejoice in the fact that my Redeemer lives, and I pray that I can remain faithful and patient as Job did in times of trial. I will continue to add to my “I know” list, so that I will have it ready when I need it.

Maybe you could begin one today.

James 1:11 Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

Photo – Afloat, Beth Mims