Job: Standing Strong in the Storm

Psalm 1

Dr. John Hannah was one of my favorite professors; I wasn’t alone in that sentiment. In my final year of seminary, our class voted him our favorite instructor. So, you can imagine how excited I was when Dr. Hannah agreed to speak in Pittsburgh at a men’s retreat and deliver the message for the Sunday morning services at our church. My time with him during the rides to and from the airport and the meals at our home was special.

I don’t remember what he taught at the retreat or the subject of his Sunday morning message, but I have never forgotten one of his comments while driving him back to the airport. He stated, “We are either in a storm, leaving a storm, or heading into a storm.” This theme may not sell Christian books in a bookstore's 'inspirational' section, but we all know it’s true. Challenges will arise. Our spiritual focus and depth determine how we respond when difficult times come. If you spend most of your time playing in the shallow end, you will not be prepared when someone throws you into the deep end. Likewise, spiritual infants flounder during spiritual trials. It is essential to be rooted and grounded in Christ.

Two times in the book's first chapter, Job is described as “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1, 8). Let’s pause to consider this significant statement. Since we all have sinned and fall short of God’s holy standard, Job was not “blameless and upright” due to inherent goodness. There was a time in his life when God opened his eyes to the truth of the good news. Like his contemporary Abraham, Job “believed the Lord, and he counted it to him as righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Job’s life was transformed, prompting him to invest in his spiritual journey. God’s initial work in Job’s life, combined with Job’s partnership with God for spiritual growth, produced the characteristics we read about in Job 1:1 and 1:8. My point is this: Job’s spiritual work, discipline, and development before the storm enabled him to stand during the storm.

The psalmist describes spiritual discipline and growth like this:

Psalm 1:1-2
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.

The person blessed by God doesn’t hire a non-believer as their life coach. Notice the progression. First, the upright person is not influenced by those who oppose God. Check out their Instagram and TikTok. Second, the blameless person doesn’t spend most of their time with those who consistently miss the spiritual mark. Check out their friendships. Third, the one who walks humbly with God does not collude with the arrogant who live without God. Check out their business associates. This threefold progression reflects godly decision-making and spiritual discipline.

Instead of spending time with the ungodly, the blessed person spends time with God. Their delight is in his Word. The term translated as “delight” means to “take pleasure in” or “desire.” They desire God’s Word more than gold (Ps. 19:10). This person consistently and meaningfully reads the Bible. The word “meditate” evokes the image of a lion chewing and savoring its food. Notice the results of reading, studying, and memorizing God’s Word:

Psalm 1:3
He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.

When God’s Word saturates our minds and hearts, we are like a well-watered tree continually nourished. This is a basic reminder that we must be rooted and grounded in God’s Word. Without deep roots, there is no good fruit. Bible teacher Warren Wiersbe says it like this:

Too many Christians are more concerned about the leaves and the fruit than they are the roots, but the roots are the most important part. Unless Christians spend time daily in prayer and the Word, and allow the Spirit to feed them, they will wither and die. The believer who draws upon the spiritual life in Christ will be fruitful and successful in the life of faith. When Christians cease to bear fruit, it is because something has happened to the roots.^[1]

Those who oppose God have no roots. They are like chaff blown by the wind and are useless in God’s plans. Eventually, they wither and perish. But the “Lord knows the way of the righteous” (Ps. 1:6). He chose us before the foundation of the world and has blessed us with all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3-14). He planned and marked out our journeys (Eph. 2:10). He never takes his eyes off us (Ps. 34:15). God uses all things for our good and is at work to conform us “to the image of his Son” (Rom. 8:28-29).

Job chose obedience. He was like a tree planted by streams of water. The storms bent him but never broke him. That’s God’s desire for us. Remember Dr. Hannah’s words, “We are either in a storm, leaving a storm, or heading into a storm.” We, like Job, must be ready. It all starts by engaging with God’s Word in a meaningful manner. That is the only way for roots to grow deep. That is what is meant by living grounded.

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read Psalm 1. Reflect on what it means to be rooted and grounded.

Talking to God
Ask God to grant you the desire and discipline to engage with his Word daily. Commit to deepening your spiritual roots.

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