He lost his property, his servants, his children, and his health. He lost it all in a matter of minutes. How could something so tragic happen to one person? Was he unfaithful to God?
It may seem like he was the problem since all these bad things happened to him, but on the contrary, we know that he was a faithful servant to God. Job 1:22, Job did not sin against God at all.
Job probably thought he was going to die due to his bad health. He wished he was never born (Job 3:3). He probably saw no way in the world that he would be able to “bounce back."
His “friends” came to him thinking he was the problem (Job 4, 8, 11). His wife told him to curse God and die (Job 2:9). There was no hope for Job. He lost everything. There was no one to comfort him either.
Fast forward though, we read that Job did “bounce back." He had more children, the most beautiful daughters (Job 42:15), he obtained double the livestock than he had before (42:10, 12), and his health was restored to him. He lived 140 more years (42:16-17).
Against all odds, Job became wealthy again. His wife didn’t expect it, his friends didn’t expect it, Job probably didn’t expect it, either. Though God took care of Job.
Joseph, while not an evil man, was treated poorly by his brothers. His brothers threw him into a pit, hoping their father would not love him more than them anymore (Genesis 37:20). They wanted him dead (Genesis 37:18).
Joseph’s brothers’ plan appeared to have worked. They sold him into slavery, but tore his clothes and dipped it in blood so it would look like he was dead. As a result, their father believed he was dead (Genesis 37:34)! But Joseph had God on his side.
Against all odds, Joseph actually became one in position of power in the land (Genesis 41:40). How did he go from being sold into slavery to being one ruling over Pharaoh’s house? There was no way he could have done that. His brothers were blown away when they found out.
There was no way Joseph could have done it, but there was a way God could have done it. God blessed Joseph greatly, knowing that Joseph was a faithful servant to Him. God was not going to neglect him even if his brothers did.
God’s only begotten Son hung on a cross in front of the people. He had done nothing wrong, but they decided to crucify Him (Luke 23:21). He hung there for hours (Matthew 27:45), knowing He was going to die.
The people got just what they wanted. Jesus was dead (Matthew 27:50)! They pierced His side (John 19:34), knowing His body was deceased. Finally the chief priests and elders could rest. This Jesus that stirred up so much trouble was dead. There was literally no way He could be bothering them now.
Or so it seemed. Against all odds, though, Jesus rose from the dead (Matthew 28:6). No one can raise themselves from the dead! Not unless they are God.
Jesus walked on earth again. He spoke, He was seen, He was heard. He is God.
What about you? What is happening in your life that seems like there is no way for things to get better?
Have you lost it all, like Job? Your job, your house, your family? Have you been treated poorly, like Joseph, by your own family?
Do you feel as though there is literally no way for things to get better? Have hope! God is not going to neglect His followers. Against all odds, He will prove to you His power if you believe that He will.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).
It may not look good now, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel. If only we are willing to open our eyes through the tears to see it.
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