“𝑰𝒏 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝑱𝒐𝒃 𝒅𝒊𝒅 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒊𝒏 𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒈𝒆 𝑮𝒐𝒅 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒘𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒈.” Job 1:22

Recently, thieves stole a friend’s laptop, phone, documents, bank cards, driving permit, and some cash. He was on his way from work. It was nighttime. He escaped with his life only after relinquishing his material belongings. As he put it, thieves took his ‘entire work.’

As we chatted, you could tell it so got to him. So much. And who would be unaffected? Amidst the thick of such an experience, he confessed: “it will take me too long to forgive God and be at peace with him again.” Indeed, he wondered about “how God (can) feel okay when his children are in pain.”

Maybe you too, have faced harsh times that led you to question God’s character or care. In suffering, we may ask: where was God? And does He care?

Now, those of us who know Job’s story know that he faced what we face, and perhaps, even more. In a short time, Job had lost his camels and cattle, sheep and sons and servants, even his donkeys and daughters. In short, he lost everything he had and only escaped with his life. And his health will soon be in danger too.

But stormed by such news, Job did six things: he arose, tore his robe, shaved his head, fell towards the ground, worshipped, and blessed God. Not what we expect from one who has lost everything, save his life (and wife), right?

Indeed, the text above tells us that in all this, Job did not sin, or charge God with wrong. The word translated ‘charge with wrong’ means ‘give to God unseemliness.’ That is, Job did not charge God with lacking consideration for others or being ungracious. Now, I want to suggest that Job’s reaction to his suffering revealed how much he valued God beyond his material possessions.

But to appreciate Job’s reaction, even more, we should recall how Satan had accused Job of having mercenary devotion. For Satan, Job loves God because of what he gets out of the deal. Of course, in stating such, Satan also accused God of buying loyalty from His people (Job 1:9-11). Thus, when Job blessed God after losing everything, he put Satan to shame, as every disciple of Christ should.

Now, I know Grace Lubega thinks that God cannot take away what He gives. According to him, Job did not mean that God takes away his gifts. Lubega says the Hebrew language does not know how to distinguish between causation and permission.

But that is untrue. Hebrew knows very well how to make those distinctions. It knows the difference between a cohortative and a Hiphil. Besides, Job 1:21 uses neither of those, but a Qal perfect, which communicates simple past action.

That is to say; Job did not mean ‘the Lord permitted things to be given, and He permitted that they are taken away.’ For Job, the Lord gave, and the Lord took away. Which is why what Job did is remarkable: he blessed the Lord who took everything away from him!

Considering this, we must ask ourselves: how do we react when stripped of everything we possess? Do we, as disciples, arise, rend our robe, weep, kneel, worship, and bless God? Or do we, as mercenaries, question God’s character and care?

You see friends, the measure of our love for God is revealed when we lose all we hold dear. And especially when we know God did it (regardless of the instruments He uses).

It is simple to shout praise when our rent is forward paid, and we receive positive phone notifications from our banks. But what happens when our account is inactive, or cancer closes on us? Do we curse God and die or kneel and worship?

Let me say something about where God is when we suffer. God is, forever, on His throne, weaving a great end for those who treasure Him above material things. But He is also a co-sufferer with us. Make no mistake about it; God is not aloof of our pain. He is acquainted with it. He is the crucified Christ who experientially knows our suffering.

And more than Job, God the Son, in His humanity, lost everything, His life included. Yet, like Job, He did not charge the Father with wrong.

Like Job, Christ’s end was more glorious than the beginning (cf. Job 42:10-17). The empty tomb is a reminder that losing material things, including life, is not the end of the story for those who trust in a God capable of giving and taking away. For, God often replaces what He takes away with something more glorious, on His terms and in His time. Job’s end and Christ’s resurrection must remind us of this truth.

And as God weaves our glorious end through our inglorious present, let us ask ourselves: are we mercenaries or disciples? Is Satan correct about me? Do I love God so long as He gives me health and wealth? Or do I find Him worthy of my devotion, whether He gives or takes away? When hard things come my way, do I charge God with inconsideration or do I kneel in worship?