In All This

Job 1:22  In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Job had it all.  He was healthy, wealthy and blessed with a large family.  The Bible says that (v.3) he was the greatest of all the people of the East.  He had every reason to worship and have faith in God because his life couldn't have been better.

Then, except for his own life, he lost absolutely everything.  Hundreds even thousands of animals.  Gone.  Ten children.  Gone.  Perfect health.  Gone.  Imagine having everything and then suddenly having nothing.  Job went from being the richest to being the poorest.  Few of us will ever experience such tragedy and devastation in our lives.

If anyone had reason to lose hope, waver in faith and question God, it would have been Job.  Yet we're told simply, almost nonchalantly, that in all this Job didn't sin nor did he question God's wisdom (charge Him with wrong).

In all this, Job maintained his integrity not wanting to be found by God to be a hypocrite (27:8).  The Hebrew word for hypocrite (chaneph) literally means soiled by sin.  Job was determined that his actions were going to be governed by his faith and not by his feelings.  That his faith was going to be proven genuine and sincere, in other words, without deceit (Jn. 1:47) or hypocrisy.  Not soiled by sin.  The Greek word for hypocrite (hupokrites) means behind a mask as if acting.  Job's faith was not just acting when times were good.  It was proven authentic when times were not.

In all this, Job didn't question God's wisdom.  He patiently endured, being content (Ph. 4:11) in whatever situation or circumstance he found himself.  Having a contented mind not prone to impatience.  Knowing that God was and is right in all His ways.

In all this, Job worshipped (v.20) and blessed (v.21) God.  It is interesting to read that the very first thing Satan took from Job, even before his children, was his livestock.  He tried to destroy Job's ability to worship by taking away his sacrificial animals.  But Job still worshipped.

We are all faced with trials, tests and afflictions in life.  At times, as in Job's life, they can be almost unbearable.  Yet, in all this, if we remain steadfast in faith, contented in mind and determined in worship, God will surely bless us just like he blessed Job (42:12).

Sock Monkey Snippet:  Remain steadfast in faith, contented in mind and determined in worship.