THE PATIENCE TEST, NO. 13
James 5;11: "Ye have heard of the patience of Job."
Job was indeed a most patient man who could have collapsed in the heat of his trial which was perhaps one of the worst trials any man could have endured. Yet he did not fail. In a sense, the trial tested Job's patience with God.
Some will say that it was Job's trust in God that was being tested. Others say that Job brought it all on himself because of his own fears (Job 3:25). I do not subscribe to this last position for it discounts Satan's accusation in Job 1:11: "But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." God did not challenge Satan regarding Job's fears, but his integrity which would have included his patience and many other virtues. Job 1:8 says: "And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth (departs from) evil?"
The fears that Job feared that came upon him were purely the healthy fears that we should all have regarding the consequence of sin and the evil that can come upon us if we do not fear the consequences of not fearing God. Those who blamed Job for his fears misunderstood the purpose of his trial.
Satan believed that if God would remove the hedge of protection that was around Job and destroy all his family and all his belongings, plus destroy Job's flesh by a super serious attack of boils that Job would curse God with his lips.
To be continued.
Be encouraged.
Colin Campbell
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