James 5:11 KJV
[11] “Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
The book of Job contains the conversations between God and Satan, Job and his wife, Job and his so-called friends, and Job with his Creator. The problem with Job’s friends is their lack of awareness of the conversation held in the first chapter and their lack of knowledge regarding the blessings that would take place in the final chapter. It’s a lesson for all of us that we should be careful and Spirit-led before we administer advice, especially to people going through tough times.
Even though Job was suffering and surrounded by miserable comforters, he still managed to endure. We read of his ups and downs, but I think we can all relate to the struggles he faced within himself. What seems to radiate throughout the book is the patience of Job and the pity of the Lord. God was merciful to Job and used the trials of life to be a tremendous example to others and to bring glory to Himself. He never forsook Job in the worst of times, and He will never leave or forsake us!
The patience of Job through his trials should cause us all to take a step back and look at what we face. I will be the first to admit that I have not been through what Job went through. I have not lost all, buried all, and had more questions than answers. Of course, I have had my share of trials, and we have all seen dark days, but not like this dear servant. We cannot relate to the magnitude of his tests, but we can learn from his example. No matter what we face in our lifetime, we must trust God to see us through it. The patience Job had was the path that led him to his great reward in the final chapter. God blessed him spiritually, physically, and financially because even through his tribulations, he trusted God.