June 19 - Sometimes, We Must Suffer But Follow the Example of Job and Jesus

Cindy Rae Fancher
Jun 19
2 min read

Sadly, sometimes we must suffer, but we must follow the example of Job and Jesus and persevere.

Job and his family loved and served God. They were faithful. Yet the Lord turned Job and all he had over to Satan. Satan cursed Job, took his animals, and killed his servants and children. Yet Job worshiped God and did not turn away from his faith in the Lord.

With nothing I came out of my mother's body, and with nothing I will go back there; the Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; let the Lord's name be praised. (Job 1.21 Bible in Basic English (BBE))

Satan cursed Job yet again with boils all over his body. Again, Job did not curse God.

The people turned against Jesus and demanded that he be put to death. Judas deeply regretted his role in the betrayal and capture of Jesus. So he hung himself. Jesus would not answer the questions asked of him that might have changed his fate. He stood fast to his belief. So, he was ridiculed and tortured before they took him for crucifixion.

Jesus did not defend himself. He could not deny who he was, nor could he change the situation, as it was the destiny he had been teaching about. We know from his prayers to God that he wanted to avoid the inevitable. Yet he knew there was no escaping what must come, for it was the will of God and why he had been born.

These are examples of not being promised a life of ease or a lack of trouble to work through as followers of Jesus Christ. We are pledged to eternity by faith in our Father and Jesus Christ. Sometimes we must suffer, but following the example of Job and Jesus, we stay strong and give the pain to God.

Prayer:

You are the Lord of all this that is and will be. As Lord of my life, I will do all I can to stay firm in my responses to events. With your strength, please help me never to waver or feel I cannot go through something. I do not want to be a martyr for you, but if I must, give me the courage to face whatever comes bravely. If I can meet that type of challenge, I know I can face anything else that comes. I understand that genuine believers can and are challenged by Satan. He wants us to leave you. I will not. He cannot have me. I know we will succeed and persevere by following in your footsteps and letting you carry and shield me when needed. Thank you for this understanding and the knowledge that you are The God of Life. Amen.