If you think for a moment that you are going through a bad time, a valley in your life, read the Book of Job and you will give thanks that your issue is only a small dip in the road. 

 

Job must have been the wealthiest man on earth with all the possessions that are listed.  It is also written that he feared God and was very faithful.  But, God allows satan to examine Job’s faith and integrity, and soon after, Job has lost all of his wealth, property, his children and eventually his health.

 

Job was given much advice from his wife who told him to curse God and die, Job 2:9.  Job’s response was, “should we accept good from God and not trouble?”  Later three of his friends came to comfort him and share in his grief.  They all jump to the conclusion that Job must have sinned grievously to receive such a judgment.  But Job never did curse God, he remained faithful.

 

We know that Job’s troubles were brought on by satan, and not specifically by sin although we do read that Job did have a few issues to work out with God, which he did.  The chapter closes with God blessing the latter part of Job’s life more than before.  (14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 each of oxen and donkeys, as well as seven sons and three daughters.)  Wow, that’s a lot of livestock!

 

Whatever someone is going through today in their life, is not anything new to God.  It is usually when we are at our lowest point, that it is hard to understand this verse, Romans 8:28 And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God.”  If the evidence for this verse were obvious to us at the time of our trouble, we could accept truth of the verse without questions.  We would have no doubts.  But with everything being explainable, there would be no room for faith either!  Faith goes to work when there are no explanations.  And it is with faith that we trust God for the many promises that are in His Word.  “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.”  Where faith is lacking, God is not pleased!

 

Usually when people are cruising through life on the tops of their hills, there isn’t enough thanks and praise to God for keeping them in his care.  It’s when people are going through their valleys in life when they cry out for help.  James 1:12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

 

Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.