Joy Unspeakable and Full of Glory for the Sufferers for Christ

“After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth.” [1]

Whether anger or sorrow, both are signs of grieving! Job’s initial response to losing everything was to continue to bless the Name of the Lord, and to worship God, but in the aftermath of his losses, and with the added affliction of critics criticizing him, he turned his anger on himself. We learn something good about Job through one of his critics...

“Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have strengthened the feeble knees.” [2]

Job had been the richest man in the East, yet he was not self-focused. He coached others from poverty of strength to abundance of strength. He helped others to succeed.

Eliphaz may have intended to help Job, but he failed miserably. After an encouraging comment about Job’s former care for the weak, Eliphaz began to criticize Job for not doing the same for himself: “But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; it [hardship] touches you, and you are troubled.”

After these words, Eliphaz shares a nightmare he experienced: “In disquieting thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair on my body stood up.” What question did this evil spirit ask Eliphaz? He asked, “Can a mortal be more righteous than God? Can a man be more pure than his Maker?” [3] In another words, “Job, hasn’t God wronged you in allowing this suffering into your life?”

The simple answer to that question is, “no.” The Apostle Peter suffered for His loyalty to Christ. He wrote, “Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial, which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you.” [4] Yes, Christians suffer for Christ, but He also rewards us with great joy. Wait for it? The great joy is on the way! The Lord is faithful to His faithful followers.

The Apostle Paul wanted to serve Jesus without suffering, but the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul’s response was, “I will most gladly boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.” [5]

“Thank You Heavenly Father, for replacing grief and anger with joy unspeakable and full of glory. You are no man’s debtor. You always reward those who serve You. Blessed be You Holy and wonderful Name!”

[1] Job 3:1
[2] Job 4:3-4
[3] Job 4:3-4, 13-15, 17
[4] 1 Peter 4:12-14
[5] 2 Corinthians 12:9