Where My ‘Understanding’ Ends, ‘Worship’ Begins (Job 1:1 – 4:21)

Beloved saints, what is the greatest challenge to our Christian faith? It is when the formula—"If I live righteously, pray earnestly, and believe in God, I will be blessed"—shatters before our eyes. Today, the Book of Job poses a shocking question to us: "Do you love God because of the 'blessings' He gives, or do you love 'God Himself'?"

First, true faith is a ‘Relationship,’ not a ‘Transaction.’ Satan’s argument is simple: "Does Job fear God for no reason? You have blessed him, so he serves You. Take it all away, and he will curse You to Your face." Satan viewed faith as a strict ‘Transaction.’ Yet, upon the ruins where he lost everything, Job falls to the ground and worships. "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away..." This is one of the greatest confessions of faith in human history. Job confesses that although his possessions (health, children, wealth) have vanished, his Master (God) has not. Friends, is our faith based on the gifts in our hands, or on the character of the Giver? Job challenges us: God must not be the means to meet our needs; He Himself must be our end.

Second, ‘Honest Lament’ in the face of suffering is also faith. In Chapter 3, Job curses the day of his birth and cries out. Some ask, "Why is a man of such great faith speaking so weakly?" But this is not unbelief. This is ‘Honesty’ before God. God does not demand of us a stoic, stone-like insensitivity. Even the scream, "God, why on earth is this happening?" is a prayer because it is directed toward Him. Even Jesus on the Cross cried out, "Why have you forsaken me?" Do not suppress your pain. Tears poured out before God become the most truthful language of worship.

Third, the Gospel is ‘Grace’ that transcends ‘Retribution.’ In Chapter 4, Job's friend Eliphaz speaks: "Who that was innocent ever perished? Repent." Eliphaz’s words fit general common sense, but they are wrong for Job’s situation. Eliphaz condemns Job with the formula: "Suffering = The Result of Sin." This is legalism and religious moralism. But what is the Gospel? Look at Job. He suffered despite being innocent. Here, we see the shadow of Jesus Christ. The only One who truly suffered ‘without sin’ in this world is Jesus. He endured causeless suffering because of our sin. According to Eliphaz’s logic, we should all perish. However, because Jesus took the ‘penalty of sin’ we deserved, we have received eternal life—the ‘reward of righteousness’ we did not earn. Christianity is not retribution (karma); Christianity is Grace.

Beloved saints, Are you currently passing through a tunnel of inexplicable suffering? Are you asking "Why?" just like Job? God does not answer Job’s question in the first four chapters. He remains silent. Yet, God has not left Job. Through Job’s suffering, God is dismantling Satan’s accusation and moulding Job into a deeper level of faith. Do not try to interpret God’s vast will with our narrow minds. Do not judge the suffering of others carelessly like Eliphaz. Instead, even in those moments you cannot understand, trust in the faithful God.

"But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold." (Job 23:10)

May this confession become your song as you pass through the night of suffering. I bless you in the name of the Lord.