I am currently reading through the book of Job in my private devotions. Job is one of my favourite books – I can’t explain it; it just is.

Job was such an man of integrity in everything that he did. He was one of the richest men in the world of his time, but in just a day or two he lost everything – wealth, family, health. The one thing he didn’t lose though was his spiritual uprightness.

I imagine he was glad to see his friends come to encourage him in his suffering UNTIL they opened their mouths. Honestly, with friends like Job’s who needs enemies?!

I was thinking about how we can have so much hope in our suffering because of the book of Job. We can know with assurance that sometimes our suffering is for God’s glory. Job’s friends assumed (wrongly) that Job suffered because of some secret or unknown sin. Job knew his innocence and had no idea why he was suffering. He thought God had abandoned him. “Know now that God has overthrown me, and hath compassed me with his net.” Job 19:6

Job then goes on to point by point tell what has happened to him – God had set him in darkness (v. 8), taken away his glory (v. 9), removed his hope (v. 10), seen him as an enemy (v. 11), taken away his friends, family and servants (v. 13-19), destroyed his health (v. 20). After this listing of sorrows Job cries out for his words to be written out (God saw that they were!), and then gives one of the greatest testimonies…

“For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God.” Job 19:25-26. Oh, Job! You have no idea of the comfort those words have given people in the millenia since you said them.

They were the inspiration for a beautiful hymn written by Jessie B. Pounds.

I know that my Redeemer liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know eternal life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

Refrain

I know, I know, that Jesus liveth,
And on the earth again shall stand;
I know, I know, that life He giveth,
That grace and power are in His hand.

I know His promise never faileth,
The Word He speaks, it cannot die;
Though cruel death my flesh assaileth,
Yet I shall see Him by and by.

Refrain

I know my mansion He prepareth,
That where He is there I may be;
O wondrous thought, for me He careth,
And He at last will come for me.

“O wondrous thought, for me He careth” – comfort and encouragement – two things Job desperately longed for. Someday when we get to heaven, I want to thank Job for not giving up his faith in God, for leaving us such a strong testimony and hope.