09192020 Unknown Purposes

 

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings in the name of our wise God. He knows so much that we don't know, and He even knows how to make good come out of bad.

Lesson #6. We almost certainly don't know all that God is doing in the midst of suffering. "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. ... And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face" (1:6, 8-11). The second round of this heavenly discussion is found in 2:1-6.

Job's trial had supernatural, or celestial, significance. Job knew nothing of this cosmic contest, of this incident through which God intended to put Satan's accusations to silence. Satan was impugning the character of God and calling into question the possibility of genuine belief and devotion. Job, the chosen but unwitting participant, was a stellar example of a God-follower (1:1,8). If Satan could bring down the best, which he believed he could do, he could mock and belittle God.

There was a celestial audience to this challenge, and perhaps all the heavenly hosts as well as their fallen counterparts were riveted on this contest, waiting to see what would happen. God and Satan were certainly watching (2:1-3). Who knows what the consequences would have been if Job had failed. God would still have been God. He still would have been good and powerful. In fact, nothing about God or His authority would have changed. But Satan would have gained confidence, perhaps enough to escalate his evil activity in the world. Perhaps more angels would have chosen his side. The point is not so much what might have happened as it is that Job was completely unaware of this level of interaction. Job did not know how significant his trial was.

As far as we know from the Biblical record, Job never knew. He didn't know that his record would be preserved for the instruction and encouragement of Christians through the ages. Certainly he wondered why everything was happening. He rightfully claimed that he did not deserve it. What did he understand? If we were to ask Job when he emerged from the end of his trial what he thought the reason or benefit was, what would he say? Based on his words at the end of the book, his answer would basically come down to this: I know God better now than I did before. That seems to be about as much as Job understood.

Even with the helpful revelation included in the book, we still don't know all the purposes God had in Job's trial. What impact did it have on his friends? His community? His wife? How was Job different going forward? How did the experience impact the way he raised his new children?

Because of the truths revealed in the New Testament, we have some understanding of the reasons and benefits of trials in our own lives. (Romans 8:28-29 and James 1:2-4, for example.) But do we know all that God is doing? I think that is impossible. At the very least, God is working in us. Very likely, He is working through us to touch the lives of many others. And beyond that, only God knows.

I have often heard people talk about a trial they have come through and say something like, "Knowing what I know now, I would do it all over again." Well, imagine if we actually knew all there was to know! I think we would more readily embrace the difficulties of our lives and would have greater peace as we go through them. It has been truly said that God never wastes anything, not even a trial.

This week as we continue through current trials or as we face new ones, may we "walk by faith, not by sight" (II Corinthians 5:7).

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA