Read Job 42:7-17
What a perfect conclusion. God’s timing is always perfect. Can you even believe what Job received for his devotion? His time of agony would be a distant memory, although I’m sure his devotion to God would have only grown over the years.
You can’t live through something like that, witnessing God’s hand at work, and not be changed. Have you ever witnessed a miracle or seen answered prayer? The people in Jesus’ day were sure drawn to all the signs and wonders of Jesus. The first followers of Jesus had a front row seat to seeing God in the flesh, too. Job and his friends just heard the voice from the whirlwind.
Job had been delivered and rewarded for how he handled the testing of Satan. We have been promised deliverance as well. We well know how crafty Satan can be. Just like Job, as believers God works in our hearts to draw us to him. It’s nothing we do. We simply trust in God as our supreme power and truth. Our reward is being in the presence of God with his Holy Spirit now inside us. One day, God’s kingdom will be fully revealed for all to see.
God has set the record straight. After this great experiment with Job, his three friends are also learning a great lesson. God shows his kindness and grace to them as well, even though they were misguided in their speaking of God. The Lord has offered these men an opportunity to change their hearts, right along with Job.
The LORD acknowledges Job three times to Job’s friends and addresses him as “my servant.” He points to Job for having gotten it right, for speaking accurately about God. Don’t we all want God to be pleased with us and our efforts? Don’t we want everything that comes out of mouths to be honoring to God? I know I can do a better job of engaging my brain before engaging my mouth. I may do a better job if my filter is always asking, “does this honor God?”
We can all learn from the events of the book of Job. The story and message are timeless. Take time today to think through what you have encountered in this book. We’ve seen a righteous man lose it all, remain faithful, be rebuked for his faithfulness while questioning God, repenting, and being restored in excess of what he’d ever had. What a journey!
Are you experiencing all the abundance and joy God desires for you, his servant? How will Job’s experience help you?
Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for the example of Job you have set before me. May my devotion for you stand strong and secure despite any circumstance of life where I may get stuck. May I carry your message of love into the world. Help me not to shy away from my enemies but to be bold and genuine in my love for them, too. May everything I say and do be honoring to you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
