At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ”Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:20-22)
I can’t even fathom the tragedy Job experienced. Four messengers come in a span of about five to ten minutes and report that Job has lost all of his possessions and that all ten of his children have been tragically killed. Few people in history, if any, have experienced the magnitude of loss that Job experienced in the course of one day. Everything he worked for and almost everything he found precious in life was instantly taken away. His response is incredible.
“I brought nothing into the world and I will bring nothing out of it. Everything I have is a gift from God. God gave these things to me. Now He has taken them away. Blessed be the name of the LORD.” (It’s hard not to sing the song we sing in church when you read Job’s words!)
Needless to say, the strength of Job’s faith is immediately seen in the midst of unspeakable tragedy. He shows intense emotion by tearing his robe and shaving his head. He shows incredible faith by worshipping God and trusting Him in the midst of his loss.
I guess the thing that really stood out to me this morning, however, was verse 22. This seems to be the crux of the matter in chapter one–”In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” Job sacrifices for his children lest they “cursed God in their hearts.” Satan goes after Job in order to get him to curse God to His face. The whole battle seems to be over “will Job curse God or not?”
What does it mean to curse God? From verse 22, it seems to involve charging God with wrongdoing, with assailing His character, with blasting Him for all our woes. Satan’s first temptation in Genesis 3 began by questioning God’s goodness–”God is holding back from you. He doesn’t want you to eat the fruit because He knows that it will make you stronger and better. He is self-serving and not good.” Satan’s strategy is not much different in Job 1. He wants Job to curse God, to deny His goodness, to doubt His love, to hate His presence.
Thus, the real battle in suffering is over the character of God. Am I willing to trust Him even when I do not understand His plan? Am I willing to believe His goodness even when I am experiencing bad times? Am I willing to praise Him even when I do not feel like it? Am I unwilling to charge Him with wrongdoing even when I am confused, grieving, or angry at the unfair circumstances of life?
Father, teach me to trust You even when I do not understand. Teach me to praise You even when my emotions are drained and depressed.