INTRODUCTION

God offers no account of anyone (apart from the Lord Jesus Christ) who ever suffered quite like Job. Job lost his beasts and his servants (Job 1:14-17 [14] And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: [15] And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. [16] While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. [17] While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
See All...); he lost all his children (Job 1:18-19 [18] While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: [19] And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
See All...), followed by the loss of his health (Job 2:7-8 [7] So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown. [8] And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.
See All...). In addition to all these, he suffered the rejection of his wife (Job 2:9-10 [9] Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. [10] But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
See All...) and then his friends who came to “comfort” him, miserably failing (Job 2:11-13 [11] Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that was come upon him, they came every one from his own place; Eliphaz the Temanite, and Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite: for they had made an appointment together to come to mourn with him and to comfort him. [12] And when they lifted up their eyes afar off, and knew him not, they lifted up their voice, and wept; and they rent every one his mantle, and sprinkled dust upon their heads toward heaven. [13] So they sat down with him upon the ground seven days and seven nights, and none spake a word unto him: for they saw that his grief was very great.
See All...; Job 16:2I have heard many such things: miserable comforters are ye all.
See All...). Job suffered beyond what most people could comprehend. He suffered spiritually, physically, and emotionally. Yet, when we read the account more closely, it is evident that in all his suffering, he chose to worship God rather than turning against God and placing all blame upon Him (Job 1:20-22 [20] Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, [21] And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. [22] In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.
See All...; Job 2:10But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
See All...). Job in many ways serves as an example for believers today. Trials are certain to come; heartaches are unavoidable, but believers must continually praise the Lord despite all the difficulties.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): No matter the difficulties faced, we are to praise and thank God  (Psalm 34:1I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.
  See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [16] Rejoice evermore. [17] Pray without ceasing. [18] In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
  See All...). Read each of these accounts and the situations in which these believers found themselves and consider their reactions (Acts 5:40-42 [40] And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [41] And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name. [42] And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.
  See All...; Acts 16:19-25 [19] And when her masters saw that the hope of their gains was gone, they caught Paul and Silas, and drew them into the marketplace unto the rulers, [20] And brought them to the magistrates, saying, These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, [21] And teach customs, which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans. [22] And the multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and commanded to beat them. [23] And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: [24] Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. [25] And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.
  See All...; 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 [7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): Have you suffered as extremely as Job? Have you suffered to the extent that Christ suffered for you? The obvious answer is, “No!” With this being true, shouldn’t you be able to praise the Lord in the midst of your afflictions?
• Read Ephesians 5:20Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ;
  See All.... How does this verse apply to your response while enduring trials and afflictions?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Take the time to thank God for allowing trials in your life.
• Ask God for a clearer understanding of afflictions.

HYMN

MORE LOVE TO THEE, O CHRIST

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