Blessed / Afflicted
Have you ever thought:
- “I’m a good Christian, I should be blessed not afflicted.”
- “This is unfair.”
- “I shouldn’t have to suffer like this.”
The problem is, God never promised us an easy ride. In fact, He said persecutions would be counted among our blessings.
10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Matthew 5:10
It’s even in our job description:
34 … “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
In the end, despite what we think, what we believe, and how we feel about it, good people suffer.
Why?
Job paints us a picture of a righteous man ticking all the boxes.
In the land of Uz there was a blameless and upright man named Job, who feared God and avoided evil.
Job 1:1
And just in case there was any doubt, God Himself said,
“There is no one on earth like him, blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil.”
Job 1:8
He was a good guy. Imperfect like the rest of us, but righteous before God.
It was because Job was righteous that he was struck down.
Afflicted
Not only did God allow Satan to attack Job, He challenged the Accuser to give it His best shot.
As a result, Job suffered on every level:
- The loss of his family
- Decimation of his well-being and financial security
- And his pride took a beating when he could no longer perform his duties
He lost everything. But God entered the bargain with Satan knowing what the outcome would be.
How could He do this?
Because not only did Job know and trust God, God knew and trusted Job.
Yahweh was confident Job may have bent in the battle, but he wouldn’t buckle; he would remain true.
Surely a Sinner
The world judged Job as a sinner because they understood hardships to be God’s judgement and punishment. His friends’ testimony bears witness to this:
- Eliphaz: Be patient. God is punishing you for your sin.
- Bildad: Plead for mercy. God is just and if you’re upright, you will be restored.
- Zophar: You witless fool. Just repent, then you will be blessed and happy.
- Elihu. Your arrogance and ignorance are the problem.
It seemed everyone was against him.
Even God.
And yet Job’s attitude remains consistent throughout the book:
Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
Job 2:10
Even though he didn’t understand what was going on or why, Job continued to trust God. When the blessings were removed, Job’s love remained.
Knock-out Play
We are privileged to have ring-side seats witnessing what was happening behind the scenes. Job was a pawn in the war. Not a random piece of cannon fodder, but a strategically placed piece that would trip the enemy.
As the all-powerful, ever-loving general, God kept Satan on a leash. He only sanctioned what Job could withstand whilst manoeuvring the situation for the optimum outcome:
- Revelation of God’s glory
- Vindication of Job
- God’s pawn checked the opponent’s king.
Blessed and Afflicted
In Scripture, when LORD is written in caps, it translates as Yahweh; God’s covenant name expressing personal relationship. Job covenanted with God and therefore, as His child, was His representative for the good and the bad.
It’s the same for us.
Entering a covenant with God guarantees two simultaneous outcomes.
- Yahweh’s relationship blessings
- The Accuser’s attack.
However, our all-powerful, loving general sets the Accuser’s limits.
Whilst we aren’t privileged to see what’s going on behind the scenes, and may never see the outcome of the battle, we, like job, have a choice. Trust and love God or curse Him and die.
So what?
We are cherished children of God, adopted into His kingdom, called and selected for a purpose. But that doesn’t mean we’re travelling an easy road.
34 … “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:34
Simon of Cyrene was charged to carry the horizontal bar of Christ’s cross. Purely by association, he suffered the scorn and abuse of the crowd as he walked beside the Son of God. This is the disciple’s role; to willingly suffer hardships for the name of Christ.
In this, as in all things, we have a choice: prove the Accuser right and curse God, or prove our Father right and worship.
20 At this, Job … fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
Job 1:20–21
and naked I will depart.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Reflection:
- Do you associate hardships with God’s punishment?
- Have you experienced God’s glory because of suffering?
- How do you persevere in times of affliction?
Great article, Donita, and thought provoking. It’s tough to suffer, and even tougher when others think it’s because we’ve done something wrong… or even when WE think we’ve done something wrong. Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.
Thanks for your comments Belinda. I agree. None of know what’s happening behind the scenes. But being told by others we’re suffering because we don’t have enough faith, too much sin, or a bit of both, is not helpful. Thankfully we follow a God who not only knows what’s going on behind the scenes, He’s completely in control.
thanks DONITA you always make me think about what you have written
Thanks for reading Max. Thanks too for the feedback and encouragement.
It is difficult to persevere in times of affliction, but, as you say, our choice has to be made and there is only one way to go, ‘trust and love God’ despite our limited understanding, rather than ‘curse Him and die’. ‘For now we see in a mirror dimly…’ . Thanks for your piece.
Thanks for your comments Glennis. It’s never easy when we suffer. But knowing our God loves us and walks with us-or sits in the ashes beside us-every step of the way helps.