One of the joys of my early life was a trip to Six Flags. The thrill of the amusement part was difficult to explain. Our family would never have been able to afford such an outing, but hot dog companies had “tickets” on their packages. Collect enough tickets and you could go. We ate a LOT of hot dogs.
The highlight of my trip to Six Flags was the “Screaming Eagle.” Now I know there are bigger, faster coasters (Batman, Superman, Ninja, and more), but at that time the Screaming Eagle was IT.
After the long wait in line, you finally got strapped into the seat and begin the massive climb to the top of the first, big hill. It seemed the coaster paused at the top for a moment. Then just as quickly the extremely fast descent down the hill. The thrill was intense.
The roller coaster is a great picture of a life of faith. A gradual and steady ascent followed by a rapid descent. Faith moves forward and backward. We increase and we struggle.
Our journey with Job from a man of wealth and respect to the ash heap. We have observed his struggles and listened to the collective “wisdom” of his friends.
Today we examine his faith journey.
Job was a man of integrity, character, and faith. He trusted God and followed Him. Job grieves and struggles. Grief has no limits. It comes in waves, one after the other.
The question is simple, “Can we maintain faith in times of our greatest trials?” Is it possible to maintain our focus on God when our world falls apart.
We understand that faith is necessary. There is no victory without faith. Faith is the bridge between our struggle and God’s power. Without faith and hope we are ultimately lost.
Faith gives shape to our longing and direction for our everyday existence. Faith says that there is still a future and that we all have a role to play. We believe God and hold out hope for a future.
Sometimes we have great faith, other times we do not.
Faith is found all through Scripture.
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- Abraham had faith. He believed God and trusted Him for a son despite his advanced age. And then he trusted God enough to offer his son as a sacrifice.
- Jesus showed extreme faith. He knew He would pay the greatest price. He believed and followed God despite carrying the weight of sin.
- Paul exercised faith by keeping his message consistent. He focused on the cross and the resurrection. Faith in Jesus’ action on our behalf held Paul together and gives us hope.
The Faith Journey of Job
Job had high moments and low moments of faith. There were moments when Job’s hope rose like a great mountain from the plain. At other times Job was in the valley, struggling mightily.
This roller coaster of faith should not surprise us. Hope and hopelessness battle within us. We journey between confidence and overwhelmed. The struggle is ongoing.
We will see five parts of the faith journey for Job, learning lessons along the way.
Job Blamed God
He said, “God did it” (16:11-14)
11 God has turned me over to the ungodly and thrown me into the clutches of the wicked. 12 All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target; 13his archers surround me. Without pity, he pierces my kidneys and spills my gall on the ground. 14 Again and again he bursts upon me; he rushes at me like a warrior.
He pictures the wounds of his life as wounds to his vital organs. He thinks God is behind his struggles, believing God has attacked him as a cold, premeditated act.
Perhaps you are in that place today. You do not understand why it happened. You think God is behind it.
What do we not see in the last section? We do not see God condemning Job for His struggle. We do not see God angry because he asks these questions.
God does not chastise Job for His struggle and He will not judge you.
Second, Job Longed for God
He searched for God (23:3)
If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
You have been there too, haven’t you? God used to feel close but now… He is so far away. You do not know how to reach Him. Where is God? We just do not know.
The great news is that you will seek God and you will find Him when you search for Him with all your heart. James says it clearly, “When we draw near to God He will draw near to us.”
He is only waiting for you to say the same thing Job did. He longs to hear you say you want to go to Him. He will meet you in that desperate place. Cry out!
Job Struggled to Trust God
He cries out that he will trust God even if he dies. (13:15-16)
15 Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. 16 Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!
Can you say, like Job, God, I will trust you no matter what happens? Can you express faith no matter what? We can believe that God will make it turn out for his deliverance. It is a matter of saying to God, “whatever comes, I will trust in you!”
Fourth, Job Trusted the Character of God
Consider two statements Job makes trusting God’s nature. Job says, “God is wise in heart and mighty in strength.” (9:4-12)
4 His wisdom is profound, his power is vast. Who has resisted him and come out unscathed? 5 He moves mountains without their knowing it and overturns them in his anger. 6 He shakes the earth from its place and makes its pillars tremble. 7 He speaks to the sun and it does not shine; he seals off the light of the stars. 8 He alone stretches out the heavens and treads on the waves of the sea. 9 He is the Maker of the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades, and the constellations of the south. 10 He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted. 11 When he passes me, I cannot see him; when he goes by, I cannot perceive him.12 If he snatches away, who can stop him? Who can say to him, ‘What are you doing?’
As all around this author, we stood in awe this week as we witnessed the eclipse. God designed our world in such a way that He demonstrates His power. He shows His wonder.
The God who can show His wonders in the sky will show His wonders in our lives. He will prove His power and fill us with His presence.
Further, Job says that God has wisdom, strength, and power (12:13)
13 “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.
Job Believes God for His Ultimate Future
In two passages Job expresses amazing, deep faith in God for things that had not yet even been revealed!
Job trusts that God has supplied an intercessor (16:18-21)
18 “Earth, do not cover my blood; may my cry never be laid to rest! 19 Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. 20 My intercessor is my friend z as my eyes pour out tears to God; 21 on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend.
What a statement of faith. And what a journey he has been on. Job earlier cried out, longing for someone to come in the gap. He wished for someone, anyone would put himself between God and his struggles.
He wishes to stand in the divine courtroom before the judge. He knows he cannot stand there alone. God is prosecutor, judge, and jury.
Now he sees the intercessor. He knows someone will stand there. He sees a witness, advocate, intercessor, and friend! We know the truth that Job only hoped and believed for. Jesus is our intercessor, advocate, and witness. More than that, Jesus is our friend! He stands in heaven for us.
He is there now, pleading our case. He is in heaven as our friend. How did Job know this. Like the saints of hold he believed God for what was to come.
Even greater Job believed God for His future.
The question (14:14-17)
14 If someone dies, will they live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait for my renewal a to come. 15 You will call and I will answer you; you will long for the creature your hands have made. 16 Surely then you will count my steps but not keep track of my sin. 17 My offenses will be sealed up in a bag; you will cover over my sin.
The Answer: I know my Redeemer lives (19:25-27)
25 I know that my redeemer h lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. 26 And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; 27 I myself will see him with my own eyes I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!
This is Job’s greatest statement of faith. He believes for a Messiah who has not yet been revealed. He believes that the one coming would be His redeemer providing a ransom.
Jesus is our redeemer. He will stand on the earth. Job does not even know the details of His first coming but believes God for the His future. Our redeemer is coming, and we will see Him face to face!
We cry with Job, “my heart yearns within me.” We long for the return of our Redeemer. With Job we have faith in the future we cannot see.
Three Suggestions for Growing in Faith
Three Truths About Hope
- Faith is a journey. Give yourself room. It is okay to be on the journey. If you are in the blaming God stage it is ok. If you are struggling to find faith, He is not angry. Be where you are and ask Him to help you grow to the next place.
- Pray this simple prayer, “Lord I believe, help my unbelief.” We can pray with the Father in Mark’s gospel. We can say, “God, I trust you, but I want to trust you more.” He will reach you at that spot.
- Moving from hopelessness to hope brings understanding and clarity. You will eventually see. God will help you move to a deeper faith.
