[Job] said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. Job 1:21–22 (NIV)

My pastor is preaching through a series on Job. It grabs my attention as I’ve dealt with back pain since May. I’m reminded that God was teaching me about “Growth in the Storm” back in March (see March 16, 2023 devotional). Oh, that I could learn the lessons God has for me without experiencing them, but that is when I learn lessons best.

You may be familiar with Job. The Lord had high praise for him.

“There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Job 1:8b NIV

Satan declared that God protected Job, but that if the man lost everything then he would curse God. The Lord allowed Satan to attack Job. Satan took away Job’s wealth, his ten children, his servants, and eventually, Job’s health.

Job’s three friends were not supportive. They started out helpful as they silently sat beside their suffering friend, but then they opened their mouths. They declared that Job’s sins caused his suffering, a common view of the time, and unfortunately still held by some even at times when sin is not the case. Job’s wife wasn’t any better as she grieved the loss of her children and everything else, too.

His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job 2:9–10 (NIV)

Later, Job questioned God and His injustice in dealing with him. Job despaired of his life, yet he continued to praise God. He did not know why he suffered.

When the Lord spoke, He did not defend Himself to Job, but shared of His own greatness. Job learned more of who God truly was in the process.

Here’s lessons I’m learning, and may you learn them, too. Not that I’m requesting that you suffer, but we all have storms in our lives.

• Do not sin when going through trails.
• Have a pattern of regularly confessing sin to God as Job did (Job 1:4–5).
• Persevere.
• Do not blame God.
• See the joy of having our faith tested. James explains this difficult idea in James, chapter one.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2–4 (NIV)

• Another lesson is to praise the Lord. Consider some truths Job knew about God even as Job learned more about God’s character.

Praiseworthy Attributes of God

To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13 (NIV)

Though he slay me, yet I will have hope in him… Job 13:15a (NIV)

Even now my witness is in heaven, my advocate is on high. My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out my tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as one pleads for a friend. Job 16:19–21 (NIV)

I know that my redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand on the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God… Job 19:25–26 (NIV)

May God find us faithful as we go through trials.

Lord, You are sovereign and wise. You allow us to be tested, but You are with us. Give us your strength in the process so we may glorify You. Amen.

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Scriptures marked NIV are taken from the NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION (NIV): Scripture taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION ®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™. Used by permission of Zondervan.

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His Broken Treasure is a 31-Day companion devotional to the historical romance novel Murmur in the Mud Caves by Kathleen Denly.

We’ve all felt broken or unvalued at times, but His Broken Treasure helps take readers deeper into the themes of Kathleen Denly’s Murmur in the Mud Caves and remind them how treasured they are by the One who matters most. Designed to allow concurrent reading with Murmur in the Mud Caves, each section of His Broken Treasure is labeled with the chapter of the novel that it addresses. Reading this devotional will help you more easily recognize the beauty in God’s broken treasures.

His Broken Treasure is available for purchase as both an e-book and as a paperback at Barnes & Noble. Amazon and other vendors to follow soon.