Read Job 6:6-22

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

Few can imagine bearing the loss that Job bore. In a single day Job lost all of his wealth, his posterity, and worse of all, his sons and daughters.

As I write these words I cringe at the thought of ever having to lose one of my children. That singular loss alone has put many in a state if disrepair. But Job did not lose only one child or just one facet of his life — he lost it all. All that he worked for over the decades; all that he built with his own hands; all that he held dear was gone in a blink of an eye.

His character was put to the ultimate test. Where was Job’s identity? Was it in the things he held dear in this life, or was it in the eternal God of the universe? We get our answer in verses 20-22. Job’s response was threefold.

Even in misery — Job’s first response was to worship.

“…And [Job] fell to the ground and worshiped.” (Job 1:20)

I want you to notice that Job doesn’t have any struggle when he chooses to do this, as if there were some conflict of the heart. Job’s response was instinctive and spontaneous. He had already chose long ago to place his identity in His Redeemer (see Job 19:25), not in the riches of this life or even in the securities of his family.

Trials and afflictions are like a boiling pot. The built-up pressure caused by suffering will violently force out of your heart what is truly there. Dear Christian, it doesn’t matter how spiritual you appear to look on your good days; it’s how spiritual you really are in the midst of the fiery furnace. In Job’s case, his trials and afflictions led him into fervent and sincere worship.

Job’s second response further shows his genuine faith, for his worship moves quickly into praise:

“And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”” (Job 1:21)

Where any normal man would cry out in self-loathing, Job cries out “Blessed be the name of the LORD!” Job’s view of God was not in the least affected by the poor circumstances of his life. The majesty of God remained unscathed and praises poured forth from Job’s lips through depression.

Church, our praises should not be based on trivialities or worldly factors. They should not be conditioned on our fortune or misfortune. We must find our praises to be in God Himself! We are but a vapor, but His Majesty will carry on for eternity. Through the good days and the bad days God always remains faithful and true. Do you believe this?

At the climax of Job’s holy reaction, we are left with Job’s third response — which is perhaps the most telling of Job’s heart. It was a response of omission. That is, the godly character of Job was unquestionably proven, not by what he did, but by what he did not do.

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

Oh! how often do we play the hypocrite in praising God with our lips, but cursing God in our hearts? Do we sing hymns of God’s wonders only to charge God with being unfair to us? Have we lifted up holy hands to God in exaltation while treading Him underneath our feet in misfortune? Let it not be so among us!

Let us not be, as Israel was:

“Therefore the Lord said: “Inasmuch as these people draw near with their mouths And honor Me with their lips, But have removed their hearts far from Me, And their fear toward Me is taught by the commandment of men…” (Isaiah 29:13)

Instead —

“Let God be true but every man a liar!” (Romans 3:4)

Beloved, whatever your life is today through natural eyes, whether blessed or grievous, do not let it dictate your thoughts toward God. Don’t base your love of God on your own body that is perishing and a world that is fading away. We must expect that in this life we will face much harm and tribulation, especially as declared enemies of Satan. All of our world is under the sway of the wicked one (see 1 John 5:19) and tainted by sin. These things must pass away; but God remains forever true and He has brought you near by the blood of the Lamb, who is our Lord Jesus Christ.

“Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.” (1 Peter 4:12–13)