Daily Devotion

What are you afraid of? What frightens you? What do you dread? What are the “what-ifs” that keep you spiritually stuck? The word “fear” shows up—ready for this? — 443 times in the Bible! “Afraid” is found 167 times. “Tremble” appears 101 times. We could add similar words to the list that would keep us counting.

In our study of Job, we have considered his character, suffering, and restoration. We circled back to address questions like “Where did evil come from?” and “Why does God allow suffering?” We have stressed the importance of being spiritually grounded because, let’s face it, much of life takes place in a storm, coming out of a storm, or getting ready to enter a storm. During the next few days, let’s consider what it looks like and feels like to talk to God in the storm.

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.

Laura was distraught when her husband died. Cancer took him in his mid-forties. She clung to her strong faith in the Lord, knowing there was little time to grieve. Life on a Kansas farm meant more work than hours in the day. Laura and her six children worked from sunup to sundown to provide for their family. It was a team effort.

God is sovereign over all. His response to Job made it clear that the Almighty created all things and controls them. Yet, evil exists. Countries attack other nations, causing the deaths of thousands. Tornadoes sweep across the United States, destroying communities. Diseases ravage our bodies. Why?

Job’s life seemed picture-perfect. God was at work in Job’s heart, allowing him to be characterized as a man who was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1). He was blessed with a loving wife, a large family, a thriving business, and abundant wealth. He was described as “the greatest of all the people of the east” (Job 1:3). If you are wondering, this was not a description from his employees who wanted a raise! This is how God described Job! Everything was great in Job’s life…until it wasn’t. Satan showed up and everything changed.

Jim makes robots. God does not. He created humanity in his image, giving us communicable attributes and free will to choose our paths and make decisions. This flows from the well of God’s love. He loves us so much and desires our love so strongly that he gives us the free will to make personal choices. As we saw last time, God could make evil nonexistent or free humanity to choose. God does not force his love on us; instead, he grants us the freedom to choose.

Satan, who embodies evil, was allowed to inflict severe emotional and physical pain on Job to prove his case. This passage raises essential questions: Where did Satan come from? Why is he standing before God? And why did God allow Satan to inflict pain on Job?

We have followed Job through his suffering, questions, and restoration. Now, let’s reconsider and address some of the inevitable issues that the book of Job brings to light.