The Ancient Word...

Sometimes suffering does not come as divine discipline, or punishment for sin, or the sword of justice. Instead, suffering comes as a test of our faith in God.

We find the most well-known example in the story of Job. Even the Lord Himself commended Job as "blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil" (Job 1:8, NIV). However, when Satan claimed that Job served God only for the wealth and other blessings he received, the Lord allowed the Devil to put Job to the test. Satan quickly destroyed Job's children, his property, and his health, leaving the man in stunned misery (Job 1-2). Even his wife urged Job to "curse God and die" (2:9), but Job refused to do so. Instead, he knelt down and worshipped, saying,

The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised. (Job 1:20-21)

Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him. (Job 13:15)

Suffering also tested the prophet Habakkuk's faith. In about 606 B.C., Habakkuk and his fellow Jews endured violence and oppression under corrupt Jewish nobles (Habakkuk 1:1-4). When the Lord said that He would raise up Babylon to punish those nobles (1:5-11), Habakkuk complained that the Babylonians were even worse! (1:12-2:1) But the Lord asked for patience, promising that, at some time in the future, He would send another nation to crush the wickedness of Babylon (2:2-20). So even though Habakkuk could not see his deliverance, he decided to trust in God (3:1-19). The prophet prayed:

I will wait patiently for the day of calamity to come on the nation invading us. Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. The Sovereign LORD is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go to the heights. (Habakkuk 3:16b-19)

When viewed as a test, suffering offers us an opportunity to glorify God in at least two ways: First, we can demonstrate to God, to other human beings, and even to angels (see Job 2:3-6; Ephesians 3:10), the quality of character and depth of faith that come from a relationship with the Lord. Second, by rejoicing in suffering, we bear witness to the world of God's continued love, goodness, justice, and faithfulness -- even when He is hard to see.

... for Today

Just as Job seemed oblivious to the divine wager that affected him, so we rarely seem to know when the Lord schedules "a test of faith" for us.

That test may seem emotionally excruciating, as when God told Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac (see Genesis 22). It may ravage us physically and economically, as in Job's case. Or it may result in harassment and oppression, as with Habakkuk.

But such circumstances can refine our faith. In hardship we find that trust and commitment take on their richest hues. James tells us that the testing of our faith produces endurance and completeness (see James 1:3-4).

The rock climber can talk all day about ropes and clips -- their construction, their strength, and their reliability. But until he steps off that cliff face and slips, the discussion remains hypothetical. In the fall, trust is built and confidence grows.

When suffering comes by way of a divine test or any other source, we can rest assured on the word of God:

God is faithful; He will not let you be tested/tempted (Greek peirazo) beyond what you can bear. But when you are tested/tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it. (1 Corinthians 10:13b)

Discuss...

1. Describe how tests and trials have strengthened or deepened your own faith.
   
   
2. Discuss some practical steps we can take to help us "praise the name of the Lord" even when He "takes away."

Chris Davis, PhD & David Timms, PhD
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

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