Helped Through Trials

Job 5:17-18, "Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: [18] For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole."

Job had three friends who came to visit with him when they learned of the difficulties that entered his life.  Scripture states, "...they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him."  (Job 2:11)  Their intentions were good, and occasionally we read something that is said by them that is helpful to one who is mourning in the midst of his affliction.  Eliphaz the Temanite is the first to speak among the three.  He speaks the truth concerning chastening, he acknowledges the purpose for chastening is correction.

We don't always know why God does what He does, and the timing of when He chooses to act.  There is no known sin mentioned in the life of Job, but we know that God has a purpose in Job's trouble.  There is a human tendency to associate difficulty as something God brings into our lives because of some major wrong in the life of a believer.  But does this have to be true?  Job seems to be an exception.  James records his understanding of God's intention in Job's life in James 5:11, "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."  We learn there is blessing in enduring (remaining and not retreating).  Job is an example of one who patiently endured through his trial.  And the Lord, in the end, is found to be pitiful and of tender mercy.

Please understand today that God chastens us because He loves us.  Hebrews 12:6-7, "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. 7If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?"  His intention isn’t to hurt but to help.

Without a doubt Job was strengthened through his trials, and so are we, if we do not retreat, but rather endure what God allows to come into our lives to make us better rather than bitter.

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1.  Have you ever gone through a major trial in your life?  How was it handled?

2.  Sometimes, chastening is the result of sin.  Is there any sin you should deal with today?

3.  Have you ever been tempted to give up?  What kept you going?