Job 42:10 – 13 After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought upon him, and each one gave a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters.

Trouble comes to most of us at some point or another. That’s life. But sometimes it comes to some individuals in rapid-fire succession leaving them completely overwhelmed. In such a case it is easy to feel alone and that God could not possibly know what you are going through.  Not true!

Let’s consider the life of Job for a minute. He was a very rich and God-fearing man who lived well for years. Then one day, all of a sudden, his situation changed. He lost his family, his possessions and most of his friends in quick succession. The Bible tells us that this was the work of the devil and God was allowing it. When it was over, Job came face to face with God and learned a great deal about the nature of God. He learned that he had not been abandoned by God and that God was watching over his life the whole time. In the end God blessed his later years more than his early life, restoring his family and multiplying his possessions.

Few of us, if any, could have endured the onslaught given its magnitude. As it is we complain our way through what we regard as trials and tribulation, financial setback, reversal of fortunes, natural disasters or other life-altering experiences. But often your trials are not meant to undo you but to reveal something new to you about God, his person, power and faithfulness. So when bad things happen over which you have no control, remember that your Lord is watching over you. Do not have confidence in yourself or even in well-meaning friends.

Job came through his trials because he was kept by God. He was eventually able to say to God “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5). The Holy Spirit would have you know that:

“The Lord God is faithful to his own, what he says he will do. It is his very nature to fulfill his word to those that trust in him. He has no lack, yea his resources are limitless. He performs miracles if that is what it takes to bring his promises to fruition. Believe that the Lord your God will perfect that which he has purposed not only to you but for your children. He is your loving heavenly Father.”