a study in Job: foolish talk or a faithful testimony? (part 3)

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:7-10)

I have this bad habit. The habit is that whenever my husband, Chuck, is involved in a project or working through a situation that has become frustrating for him, I begin to encourage him to put it aside, to walk away, to let it go, to get out of it until he cools off from whatever it is that is aggravating him. However, I have found that whenever I offer this suggestion, I tend to only frustrate my husband more, and I am not uplifting him to succeed in Jesus' Name as a true helpmate should.

Mind you, my intention is not to cause him any further grief. Instead, my reasoning is to try and remove him from the suffering and stress which he is experiencing. However, Chuck has pointed out to me that in doing this, I fail to acknowledge that sometimes God intends for His people to work through things, as well as suffer, in order to grow spiritually and fulfill the work of His will.

Of course, deep down I know this. We cannot develop further in our faith unless we endure trials and difficulties head on - all the while learning to obey and honor the Lord. But to see the man I love treading hip-deep in a trial, well... it can bring my bad habit out and cause me to question why Chuck chooses to continue forward.

Such is the case (on a larger scale) with Job's wife. Certainly, she wondered why Job didn't just curse God and die. You see, in those days, sudden death was believed to accompany the act of cursing God. So, why continue on living with such pain and suffering? Why keep standing firm with integrity when it seemed as if God had let Job down? When you think about it, Job's wife had also suffered most of the same losses as Job. She had instantly lost her children and her wealth. So, undoubtedly she was confused and bewildered amid the aftermath. Consequently, when her husband then became ill with disease, she must have looked at her sweetie in sympathy while questioning why life was suddenly so complex and horrible.

In that moment she very humanly asks Job the age old question: Why trust God? Why continue on? Why go forward in this horrible trial, dear? Instead, let's just curse God and die instantly rather than endure any more pain.

Ohhhh, Mrs. Job, how I do understand! How easy it is to get bitter and angry and scared and defeated when faced with life-shattering change. Satan may not have successfully penetrated Job's faith in God, but he sure caused Mrs. Job to question and stumble. And Job knew it! Even in his desperate state, he told her, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”

Wow! A foolish woman talking! Is that what we want our testimony to be when we undergo true tests of faith? Not me... no sir! I'd prefer to be like Job and trust that God is always... ALWAYS... in control and true to keep His promises! Also, how wonderful a husband was Job to speak the truth to his wife and correct her grumblings when she began to stumble in sin? What a wonderful man of God! No wonder God chose him as the biblical representative to teach us how to come out ahead when faced with adversity!

Perhaps Job's wife later realized that she had surrendered to Satan's manipulative scheme rather than adhere in praise to the Lord's unseen plan? I like to think so. Because in the end, both Job and his wife were blessed abundantly by God. I also like to think that scripture accounts for this woman's untamed emotional response to her husband's misfortune in order to teach each of us a most valuable lesson. That lesson is: Just because things look bleak, doesn't mean our faith should falter.

God is in control of all adversity, and in the end, God always wins. Period!

As we consider this lesson from the book of Job today, let's choose to bring our trials before the King of kings in prayer. Read with me the wise words of the Psalmist as we choose in faith to worship God rather than disbelieve His promises. Get behind us Satan! We will no longer question or speak in foolishness by allowing our emotions to sway us from the One who is always faithful and in control of our future! God is able. God is in control. God always wins so that we might always win in Jesus' Name!!! AMEN!

I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me. You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit. Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name. For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.” LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed. To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy: “What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness? Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.” You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever. (Psalm 30)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson