Job 3
Job’s response to his second test (Physical affliction) contracts greatly to his attitude after the first test (Job 1:20-22). With a curse and lament , Job pours out a torrent of pain and bitterness, seeing himself as the object of God’s anger. He longs for inner rest. He dies not curse God, as Satan had wanted him to do; he does, however, curse his conception and birth.
Job was struggling emotionally, physically and spiritually, his misery was pervasive and deep. There’s a lesson in this in the sense that one must never underestimate one’s vulnerability during times of suffering and pain. We must hold on to faith, even when if no relief is in sight.
Job had been careful not to worship material possessions but to worship God alone. Job began to lose perspective as it seemed all the principles by which he had lived were crumbling, as he faced calamities that mocked his restraint. In verses 23-26, he complained about trials that had come despite his right living.
Trials and grief, whether temporary or enduring do not destroy the real purpose of life. Go gives us life not just for our happiness and personal fulfilment but for us to serve and honour Him. We find worth and meaning in life not based on what we feel but on the love that God has for us. God’s love cannot be measured or limited by the trials we go through, no matter how great or small. We can however rely on His word. Romans 8:38-39 teaches us test nothing can separate us from the love of God.
[38] And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. [39] No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord (NLT)
