Are you suffering- encouragement from Job

July 27, 2025

By Editorial Team

Even now my witness is in heaven, And my evidence is on high. My friends scorn me; but my eyes pour out tears to God. Oh, that one might plead for a man with God, As a man pleads for his neighbour! Job 16:19-21 (NJKV)

We all know the tragedy in Jobs life. A prosperous man, large family, all going well. Job was righteous in God’s sight, but his children were kinda party animals. Not much is written about them but for their party circuit – days of feasting and drinking wine and good food and lots of guests etc. And after the partying, Job would offer sacrifices to God, to say sorry for their sins. This cycle kept going on.

Suddenly tragedy strikes and he loses his 10 sons and daughters in a day and the flocks. Its death all around him, but Job still holds on to God. Why do the righteous suffer? The book is an attempt to address this question.

The book is sublime Hebrew poetry, vast in its content. Here a few simple truths for our encouragement.

Hope in darkness

“Why is Light given to him who is in misery? And life to the bitter of soul, who longs for death but it does not come” – Job 3:20, 23.

Why is light given to him whose way is hidden, whom God has hedged in?

Job is acknowledging that even though he is in untold misery, there is a ray of hope for him. Mercies to live and not die. Today you may be experiencing a great loss. Surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off. There are many life chapters ahead of you.

False accusations all around: Look at what the friends say, instead of consoling, poking words, accusations.

Eliphaz, the ring leader: “Is not your wickedness great and your iniquity without end? (22:5)”

Zophar: “the triumphing of the wicked is short and joy of the hypocrite is but for a moment” (20:5)

Bildad: “If your sons have sinned against God, he has cast them away for their transgression (8:4), Light of the wicked indeed goes out” (18:5).

Elihu: “What man is like Job who drinks scorn like water and goes in company with workers of iniquity” (34: 5,6)

They accuse him saying you are wicked guy, you deserve this. God has rightly judged your evil sons and daughters.

Friend, are you encountering false accusations, from friends, neighbours and family members? Is someone speaking ill of you at office because of your faith? Many times when people speak such words, they don’t think God is listening. But God is. And he finally comes on the scene and rebukes them (Chap 42).

Job longs for Christ: In all his agony, Job longs for Jesus. He says Oh! that there was a daysman(Umpire/Mediator) between us who can lay his hand on us both (9:33). He is longing for a mediator with God. Jesus is that mediator, Christ our witness/Advocate in Heaven (Job 16:19-21). Whatever your situation, lets turn to Jesus for help.

Songs in the night: “Where is God my maker, who gives me songs in the night.” (Job 35:10). Many times you may not feel like praying, but God will not leave you without a song. Holy Spirit will put a song on your mouth to break through the darkness and despair. Today, I encourage you to get a Hymnal and sing a few songs.

Finally God restores

Finally Jesus comes on the scene. Job says, “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore, I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (42:5,6)”. He asks Job questions about how to run the world - Creation, rains, seasons, crops, man, animals, life and death. Job is dumbfounded, his only response is “Behold I am vile, am sorry I spoke, I will speak no further” (40:4,5). What an honest response before God. A righteous man is saying this. Here we all think so highly of us sometimes, it is good to be humble and honest before God. In his light, our righteousness is as filthy rags. Its only the righteousness of Christ that saves us.

God rebukes the three friends for speaking falsities. He tells Job, am restoring your life. The Resurrection power of Christ comes upon, Job and his wife. They again have children - 7 sons and 3 daughters. Business also grows.

After this Job lives for 140 years and sees his children, grandchildren for 4 generations. He dies a man fully satisfied in God. When God restores, it is beyond our imagination. Today whatever be the wreckage, lets look to Jesus. He can rebuild our lives.