“As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.”
Job
One of the examples cited here is that of Job. What a terrible trial he went through as he lost everything that mattered to him. Job learned that things are not what really matter in life. Marriage, family, health and peace are the true treasures of life. When Job lost these things he really did suffer. Yet there are some valuable lessons that we can all learn from the experiences that Job went through. God did not abandon him. By the end of his life Job was better off than he could ever have dreamed.
Here are some lessons that Job teaches us.
Job teaches us about life
Just when you think you have got life sorted out, something happens to confuse us. Having learned all the Scripture verses that tell us how life is supposed to progress, we find that something awful happens to throw us into confusion. Trials come that make no sense. Tragedies knock our confidence and make us wonder what it is really all about. What Job teaches us is that life is uncertain and God is sovereign. Sadly, many people think it is the other way around. God is uncertain and life is sovereign. It is not so. The only thing that is certain about life is that God is in charge.
Job teaches us about humanity
Just when you think you have got human nature sorted out, something happens to confuse us. We think that we are something we are not. We confidently assume we are good, righteous people, full of integrity and in charge of our lives. Then circumstances floor us and test our character to the limit. We find that we are not everything we thought we were. We are sinners with a string of terrible faults. Yet God still loves us and is working out His purposes in our lives for His glory and our well being. We learn more about ourselves and the rest of humanity in the difficult trials that take place in the valley than we ever do during the seasons of blessing on the mountain top.
Job teaches us about God
Just when you think you have got God sorted out, something happens to confuse us. Having read the Bible, we think that we know everything there is to know about God. Our theology is complete, our doctrine is straight and God is right where we can see and understand Him. But God is a mystery. How can finite man ever hope to fully grasp Him? All we know about God is what He has chosen to reveal to us about Himself. The rest is beyond our understanding or comprehension. Despite what the preachers tell us, we only know in part. There is much about God that we will never know or understand until we see Him face to face in eternity. As for now, we know for certain that He is absolutely righteous, loving toward all He has made and wholly faithful to us His children. Job teaches us that we may not be able to understand God, but we can certainly trust Him.
The experiences of Job teach us some valuable lessons that will help us to become mature.
