Job may have hit a rough patch in his life, but he had his priorities straight. He was mature in his relationship with God. This devotion looks at Job’s confidence in his expectation of a Savior.
Nuggets
- Satan wanted to make a point that it was easy to follow God when we were getting all the good stuff.
- God let Satan take away the good stuff from Job.
- Job had confidence there was a Savior even though he hadn’t seen Him.
- We all have to consider what will happen when we die.
- Job chose God when he put his faith and trust in God to save him.
Job had everything going for him. He had a large, loving family. He was well off financially. He had close friends.
All of this, however, was not the most important thing in Job’s life. He was described as “… a good man, careful not to do anything evil” (Job 1: 1 GNT). God had #1 priority.
Then everything fell apart — on purpose. “But now suppose you take away everything [Job] has — he will curse you to your face!” (Job 1: 11 GNT). Satan wanted to make a point that it was easy to follow God when we were getting all the good stuff.
God let Satan take away the good stuff. “‘All right,’ the Lord said to Satan, ‘everything he has is in your power, but you must not hurt Job himself’ …” (Job 1: 12 GNT).
Things didn’t work out as Satan envisioned. Quite to the contrary.
Job gave us a sound bite on the coming Messiah. Let’s see what he has to say.
Job’s Confidence
“I know that my Savior lives …” (Job 19: 25 CEV)
When we know something, we are absolutely sure about it because we have researched the information, seen it with our own eyes, or looked into the matter. In other words, we’ve built some type of a relationship with it — or with someone.
There is that element in faith. Faith is the belief that the doctrines stated in God’s Word are true, even if we do not understand all aspects of them. The writer in Hebrews put it this way: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Heb. 11: 1 NIV).
Yep, Job had confidence there was a Savior even though he hadn’t seen Him — couldn’t have. Jesus had not come down to earth yet.
But Job had observed enough to know God reigns. He had researched enough to know that God had already stated that He would send a Messiah. “I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel” (Gen. 3: 15 ESV).
More importantly, Job has the right relationship with God — even God said so. “‘Did you notice my servant Job?’ the Lord asked. ‘There is no one on earth as faithful and good as he is. He worships me and is careful not to do anything evil’” (Job. 1: 8 GNT). Yep, God told Satan that Job was His poster child.
So, somewhere along the line, Job figured out that God already had the plan of salvation in place and Jesus was just waiting in the wings for his cue. He had confidence in his God to do what He said He would do.
Even when things were at their worst, Job knew his Savior and Redeemer was coming. “The end of my life is near. I can hardly breathe; there is nothing left for me but the grave” (Job 17: 1 GNT). He may not have believed he would get out of his present troubles, but he knew he had a Savior and couldn’t have that taken away.
Job’s Expectation
“… and at the end he will stand on this earth” (Job 19: 25 CEV)
It is one thing to believe a Savior is living off somewhere we don’t have access to — or so we think. It is something entirely different to think He is coming.
We react differently when we know people are coming. I always have a Christmas Eve celebration at my house. But I still have bins sitting around after the move because I still haven’t figured out where the stuff is going. Figuring that out got a higher priority when the word company popped in my mind.
Job knew a Savior was coming to earth. There was no “well, maybe He’ll come sometime.” It was all “… and at the end he will stand on this earth …” (Job 19: 25 CEV).
The only uncertainty is on our part. Is Job talking about when Jesus came to be born as a baby or when He is going to come as a judging Messiah?
Either way, we were and will be in Jesus’ presence. He did and will stand in victory.
But let’s look at it this way. When we stand with someone, we know how they feel. We have their backs.
That takes on a whole different look, doesn’t it? Jesus does stand with us. “… Christ Jesus is the One who died, but even more, has been raised; He also is at the right hand of God and intercedes for us” (Rom. 8: 34 HCSB).
And when we think this is Job saying this, we can marvel. Job experienced the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. Circumstances didn’t change his belief. His confidence didn’t waiver because he always had the expectation of Jesus’ presence.
Job’s Frailty
“… My flesh may be destroyed …” (Job 19: 26 CEV)
Yep, the body is going to die. Death is a consequence of the original sin.
To read a related devotion, click the appropriate button below.
We just talked about Job thinking his end was near (Job 17: 1). We all eventually have questions about mortality — whether it is ours, our parents, our spouses.
A couple of years ago, I got to thinking would Adam be prepared if something happened to me. So, I focused on making sure he could cook. No, he doesn’t do much actual cooking, but I know he can follow a recipe, measure, and stir. He can do things on top of the stove and put a dish in to bake.
We all have to consider what will happen when we die. We won’t be worm food, so we have to make arrangements for when that happens.
Job did.
Job’s Future
Bible Verse“… yet from this body I will see God” (Job 19: 26 CEV)
Job chose God. He put his faith and trust in God to save him.
It didn’t matter if it was good times or bad times. It didn’t matter if his friends — or even his wife — agreed with him or not.
Job chose God and the Savior He was (at that time) going to send.
Making the Connections
Satan was wrong about Job — really probably about disciples in general. When things are going well, it is easy to forget about God. It is when things are spiraling out of our control that we finally latch on and cling to God. It is in those times that we have to say, “I know my Redeemer lives.
How Do We Apply This?
The Savior still lives, and He can be ours. We just have to choose Him.
If you have not admitted that your relationship is not right with God,
have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior,
and have not confessed your sins,
please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
Then we live the lives God wants us to. We follow or job description.
The Disciple’s Job Description
To access the complete job description, click the button below.
Nope, it isn’t easy because now Satan has put a target on our backs, just like he did Job.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
But remember, Jesus is standing right here with us. He is interceding for us. So, we’ve got this.
We’ve got this when we have Him.
Father God. So many trials come our way. Some are designed to help us grow. Some are to test our faith in You. Whatever we are facing right now, help us to be like Job. “[We] know that [our] Savior lives and at the end he will stand on this earth” (Job 19: 25 CEV). That gives us confidence to withstand any battle we face. Strengthen us so that we won’t sin. Prepare us for when we do see You. Amen.
What do you think?
Leave me a comment below (about this or anything else) or head over to my Facebook group for some interactive discussion.
If you don’t understand something and would like further clarification, please contact me.
If you have not signed up for the email daily or weekly providing the link to the devotions and the newsletter, do so below.
If God has used this devotion to speak with you, consider sharing it on social media.
Pingback: The Root Builds Character – Seeking God with Elaine