Job 1-2 | How Do You Respond When Difficulty Comes?

Job was a remarkable man. God had put a hedge about him and blessed him until he became the "greatest man in the east."

But we know the rest of the story. Satan obtained permission to touch his life and family. In one of the most devastating scenes in human history, Job lost all that he had, including his children, in a single day.

Our responses when we are squeezed indicate what is really inside of us. And what was Job's response to this horrible day?

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. (Job 1:20-22)

When you stop and ponder what really happened here, this is one of the most remarkable responses in all the Bible.

He worshiped.
He confessed that everything he had was something that had come from God and that the Lord had the right to do with it what He pleased.
He did not sin nor blame God.

Our normal response when we are tested in this way?

We get angry.
We indicate by our words that we think we "own" those things and thus God (we think) does not have the right to give nor take them.
We sin against God and blame Him.

The heart of Job's theology comes out in the next chapter when Job loses his health, and his wife tells him to curse God and die.

"Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?" (Job 2:10)

Job knew that God was the One who gave Him all he had. And he had thanked God for His blessings. Now, when it was removed for God's sovereign purposes (to give to every generation following an example of how to respond in suffering) should he not continue to bless and worship God?

Remarkable man. Remarkable and righteous response.

Lord, give me the grace to realize all I have is from you. That I am not the owner of a single thing I have—including my children. They have been given by You and You have a right to do with them as You desire for Your ultimate glory. In times of testing, let me worship You.