After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)
It is one thing to be tempted to quit, to be tempted to give in, or give out and give up. It is another thing to be told to do it and especially by the people closest to you. In the midst of Job’s pain and suffering, he needed a helping hand to pull him out, but instead those he loves and trusts the most put their foot on his head.
The one thing that Job had continued to do in all of this was the right thing. He had done the right thing by not responding in the wrong way. Yes, later on in the book, he will confront God, but he will never curse God. He will try to reason with God, but he will never reject God. He will try to stand up to God, but he will never walk away from God. Just imagine your husband or your wife, the best friend you have in the world, basically telling you to commit suicide, to end your own life, but do it while you are cursing God and shaking a fist in his face. There are two things that Satan will always try to get us to do, particularly in tough times – quit on God and quit on your faith in God.
Here is what we know about a man named Job. He didn’t wallow in self- pity. He didn’t walk away from God but went to God in worship. No blame, no bitterness, no whining, no cursing, no “How dare you do this to me knowing what an upright man I’ve been.” He gives God the one thing that God always deserves in the good times or bad – worship. Job’s entire world had walked out on him, but he would not walk out on God. Because of God and his faith in God, he did not quit on himself and that is why you can read this fantastic testimony about him.
You may question God, but don’t you ever quit on God, because God never quits on you. When God starts a work in you, he finishes it. God promises he will never quit on you. What if Jesus had quit before he got to the cross? What if Jesus had quit on the cross – but he didn’t, so we wouldn’t, and we shouldn’t.
Dear Lord, thank you for never quitting on me or giving up on me. You are so good and so faithful. Give me the strength to keep trusting you when I’m tempted to give up hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Topics: Perseverance
