Suffering For Righteousness’ Sake

“The Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.” [1]

The blood test result was Bar Epstein virus. Three months, four rounds of steroids, one round of antibiotic and still not better! The bright side of the trial was more time redeemed in prayer for my family members, relatives, friends, church members and for lost souls.

I’m twelve chapters deep into the seventh edit of a book that I have been working on for three years. I have learned during this trial that much of the Bible was written by authors in exile or prison. The Lord slows down His servants, so that we take time to reflect on and write down what He teaches us from His Word. “Thank You Jesus for pruning us so that we yield good fruit.”

Job was laboring for righteousness’ sake when the devil attacked him. His friends believed he was suffering because he sinned against God. Job knew that was not the case, but he did not know why the Lord allowed him to suffer. The Bible tells us that Job’s book was written for our sake, to encourage us that at the end of every trial, we will know just as Job did, that God is merciful and full of compassion. [2]

I enjoyed wonderful times of prayer during my season of hardship. Revelation from God’s Word! Spirit anointed worship! More empathy for others!

Job was a type of Christ. He suffered unjustly so that others could read of the Lord’s faithfulness to His servants. Job blessed the Name of the Lord when he lost his worldly wealth but agonized over the concern that he had lost God.

Remember when Jesus cried out from the cross, “My God, my God why have You forsaken Me.” [3] Christ was forsaken for our sake. But on the third day, Christ resurrected by the power of God and showed Himself to His disciples and to over 500 witnesses. He ate and drank with them for forty days before He ascended up on high. This same Jesus is coming back for all who love Him.

The Bible says, “Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” [4]

“Holy Spirit, please anoint God’s servants who are suffering for righteousness’ sake. Please make the latter part of our lives more fruitful than the former, and may You get all the glory, for You alone are worthy! In the Name of the Lord Jesus, I pray. Amen. And by the way, thank You Lord Jesus in advance for healing me. As Your word says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.” [5]

[1] Job 42:10
[2] James 5:11
[3] Mark 15:34
[4] 2 Corinthians 4:17
[5] Psalm 34:19