Doubt & Faith
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Job 1:21
Job’s story, even with its extremities of loss and suffering, is an honest presentation of life in a broken world. We face opposition, both spiritual (Satan) and human (Job’s wife and friends). We experience seasons of fullness (Job 1:1–3) and extended times of great loss (chs. 1–2). We endure heartache related to those we love (1:18–19) as well as trials related to our own health (2:7). Job’s trials were so comprehensive that they touched almost every area of human suffering, and his responses were also completely human.
Job lost all his wealth and his children overnight. Despite the harrowing news, he at first looked to God in hope and praised Him for being the source of everything. He acknowledged God’s sovereign hand even in times of calamity (Job 1:21). We marvel at his strong faith, but Job also struggled with despair. After he lost his health too (2:7), he cursed the day he was born (3:1). He was honest with his friends and God about his pain. Eventually, however, he came to accept that both good and bad come from God’s hand (13:15; 19:25–27).
In our sufferings, we too may find ourselves vacillating between despair and hope, doubt and faith. God does not require us to be dauntless in the face of adversity, but instead invites us to come to Him with our questions. Though our faith may fail at times, we can trust God to always be faithful.
Bible Reading
Job 1:20–22; 2:7–10 .
Prayer
Dear Father, when doubts and fears overwhelm me, help me remember I am precious in Your sight. You are always in control, and You care for me. Help me to remember this, In Christ's name. Amen.
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