Unbroken
Today’s Verse:
For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: ~Job 19:25
In life, we will at one time or another face difficulties and suffering that will push us to the extreme as far as patience and resilience is concerned. When these difficult times come, how will you respond? Will you succumb and give in, or will you be unbroken and strong? This morning, let us consider how Job encourages us as a man who was unbroken in faith and spirit in spite of very trying affliction.
We see Job and his adversities.
Job experienced adversities unheard of by anyone of his day, and possibly in our day as well. In one day, he experienced the loss of all his children, the loss of all his livestock, and the loss of all his servants. Then within a day or so of these losses, he was afflicted with a serious health failure. His wife was so disgusted with all these setbacks that she told Job to curse God and die. As we read Job 19, he was rejected by anyone who came in contact with him. Adversities never come to us announced. There is nothing we can do to prepare ourselves for the hurt and horror of adversity. When adversity comes, it reveals what is really inside of us and the caliber of Christian we really are.
We see Job and his attackers.
Job had three older friends who, instead of sympathizing with Job’s plight, became harsh critics and judges of him. These three men accused Job of living with sin, and that his circumstances were God’s judgment to him. Their words cut into him like the blades of knives newly sharpened. Worse than the hurt from his losses were the cutting words and criticisms of these three men. Job called them forgers of lies and physicians of no value. Job was exasperated by their criticisms. He asked, “How long will ye vex my soul, and break me in pieces with words? These ten times have ye reproached me: ye are not ashamed that ye make yourselves strange to me.” He was not only being tested in how well he could endure the suffering from losses, but also the suffering from becoming bitter because of critical people.
We see Job and his assurance
Just when he appeared to be at the breaking point, Job encourages us by his faith and confidence. “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth.” Job demonstrated that he could not be broken by crisis or criticism. Job had faith in his personal relationship with a God who was alive and in control of his situation. Job’s words indicate his faith in the resurrection of our Lord. His words depict firm confidence in a God Who was greater than all of Job’s troubles. He had faith in the fact that God was for him and not against him. He did not accept his circumstances as the end of the world for him, but that he was being tested to see how faithful he would be when things in his life got tough.
We see Job and his anticipation.
“And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Not only was Job filled with assurance of the power of God in his life, he was also living in anticipation of seeing the Lord in eternity. He was saying, “Even if my trials take away my life, I am living in anticipation of seeing my Lord.” He had faith in his future resurrection as well. Job could keep going in the face of suffering because he knew he would see Jesus one day!
Job was a man who remained unbroken. His spirit, faith in God, and desire to be found faithful were unshakable and unbending. Whatever it may be that you are going through, consider the faith of Job and determine that you, too, will be unbroken!
Have an unbreakable God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: Luke 23-24