SCRIPTURE:
14 Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands? 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!
Job 13:14-16
OBSERVATION:
Do you only love God when things are “good,” or do you still love Him when things are “bad”?
The story of Job is one that reminds us that, sometimes, faith in God is a complex journey. In the first chapter of Job, we learn that although Job “was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil,” God allows Satan to test, tempt, and even torment Job to prove what great faith Job had (Job 1:1). So what happens to Job as a result of Satan’s destruction? All of his thousands of animals were destroyed or stolen, most of his servants were killed, all ten of his children died, his wife stopped supporting him, he endured physical suffering and sickness, he lost his wealth and status, and he was judged and rejected by his friends. “
And yet even so, “in all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing” (Job 1:22). In fact, His response to God and to his friends was “Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face” (Job 13:15).
Job loved God when things were good, bad, and everything in between. Despite losing his whole life and livelihood as he knew it to Satan, not once did He curse God. Not once did he stop believing in God. Rather, he continued to defend God and cling onto his goodness with every last bit of energy he had. Job did not let his circumstances define his view of God; he disciplined his flesh to let his view of God define his circumstances. And even beyond this, Job continued to fully surrender to God, saying “Why do I put myself in jeopardy and take my life in my hands?...Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him!” (Job 13:14, 13:16)
Job loved God in both the good and the bad, because He knew that with God, even the “bad” would eventually become “good.” He just had to stick around long enough to see God finish His sovereign work. And what happened to Job because He continued to trust in God? “The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part” (Job 42:12a).
APPLICATION:
If you take an honest look at yourself, do you only love God when things are “good,” or do you still love Him when things are “bad”?
Yes, sometimes, faith in God is a complex journey, but all the time, God’s love is a simple truth. God loves you unconditionally, all the same, at all times. God does not remove His love for you when you do what He wants, and He doesn’t love you more when you do everything He says; God’s love for you is constant. God loves you the same at all times––and you should love God the same at all times. In the good, the bad, and everything in between. Why? Because with God, even the “bad” is “good.”
As the apostle Paul writes in Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
It’s time to redefine your view of “good” and “bad.” Good and bad is not determined by your personal desires; it’s defined by God’s righteous sovereignty. God is not the source of “bad” things; Satan is. But God is so good, and He loves you so much, that you can live with full confidence knowing that God will transform every single bad thing that he allows to happen in your life into a blessing for your good.
Today, may you come to know the goodness, and faithfulness, and lovingkindness of God so much so that your attitude toward Him is always “though he slay me, yet will I hope in him” (Job 13:15a). Let your understanding of God redefine your circumstances, and don’t give up on God. Wait patiently and faithfully for your victory, because the reality is that if it’s not yet “good,” God is not yet done. Keep the faith, stick around, and God will turn it around for your good in His perfect time. You watch. You wait. You’ll see.
PRAYER:
God,
Thank You for your unconditional love and your unending goodness. I repent for loving You only when times are good and for giving up on you before you were finished working. Today, I remind myself of Your faithfulness and Your love. Thank You that You are faithful to keep Your promises and that You will turn everything around for my good. I surrender all to you, and I trust in You with all my heart. I love You, Lord. Thank You for loving me unconditionally, always.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
