Psalm 10:17

¹⁷ You, Lord, hear the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry.

One of the most, if not the most painful testings of faith in God, was the dramatic story of Job. It narrated in Job 1:18-22,¹⁸While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, ¹⁹when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” ²⁰At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship ²¹and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” ²²In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.

The Scripture states that God allowed Satan to torment Job. Satan destroyed everything that Job had and caused his children’s tragic death. And still Job desired that the name of the Lord be praised. He concluded, “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away.” How could Job think of positive things despite all the undesirable trials he suffered?

Human righteousness is limited. Therefore, the righteousness of Job must have originated from God. It was the Holy Spirit of God who transformed Job so that he was hopeful that the Lord did what was best for him.

It reminds us in 1 Peter 3:12, ¹²For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Lord Jesus, help me praise you despite all trials.

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