The patience of Job

 

My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience.  Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. – James 5.10-11

 

I never understood Job very well until about 17-18 years ago when we were going through our own Job experience. It was then I learned the lessons of Job’s patience based on his faith.

 

I love Job. He was real. He was an upright man who God allowed to be tried and in that trial he lost literally everything. He lost family and houses and livestock and building and wealth and even his wife turned against him.

 

Yet, he stayed true. Sure he faltered at times and questioned but over and over and over again he turned back to God.

 

He knew He would see God. He wanted his experiences written down so others could see his example. Job’s patience was built on Job's faith.

 

The question we must ask ourselves is if our faith too will allow us the patiently wait for God.

 

Job held on, and he found out that God was full of compassion and mercy. Can we be patient enough to do the same?