A Personal Perspective 

All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right (2 Timothy 3:16).  

When I read the Bible, I approach it from this perspective. It teaches us the truth, and in the process, we will see what is wrong in our lives, attitudes, beliefs, actions, thoughts, and words. Knowing the truth will always expose anything opposed to it. We don’t have to learn about lies and deceit. They will become clear if we know the truth. This principle of knowing the truth to discern falsehood became clear to me in a practical way when I started my first job.

Discerning falsehood 

After I left school, my first job was in a bank. This was many years ago, and cash was prevalent at the time. I handled thousands of bank notes every day. Was I afraid of accidentally accepting counterfeit notes? Of course I was, but I discovered a profound truth in those early days of my career. The more you know the real thing, the quicker you will recognize the counterfeits. You immediately feel the difference in your fingertips. Your eyes may be fooled, but your fingers have learned the difference between real and fake money. This truth is applicable in our relationship with God, too.

Just as knowing real banknotes helped me spot counterfeits, knowing God’s truth equips us to resist deception.

The closer we draw to God, the more intimate our relationship with Him becomes. The better we know the Bible, the more quickly we will recognize lies and deceit. These are aimed at confusing us and getting us to question God’s character. If we fall for the lies of our enemy, we have distanced ourselves from God. 

Scripture supports the idea of resisting deception, as we can see from the following verse:

Resisting the enemy 

The Bible tells us, “So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world” (James 4:7-8).

How do we resist the devil? We draw closer to God. To further clarify this principle, another translation emphasizes that our hearts must connect closely with God: “So then, surrender to God. Stand up to the devil and resist him and he will flee in agony. Move your heart closer and closer to God, and he will come even closer to you. But make sure you cleanse your life, you sinners, and keep your heart pure and stop doubting.”

Times of testing 

Mindful of this truth, I decided to read the book of Job again for the umpteenth time. It had always been a difficult book to read, and I suffered with Job from beginning to end. Of course, we gain a false perception from this story that when our time of testing is done, we will live happily ever after. Does the story not end with, “So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning” (Job 42:12)? 

We forget that God uses narratives to convey messages to us. When we write a story, we choose a vignette of life only. It is impossible to include every nuance and detail of life in a single story. The story focuses on the particular points the writer wishes to convey. God does the same.

A different narrative 

When I looked at Job from this point of view, my perspective changed. No longer did I suffer with Job through his ordeal. Instead, I started noticing a different narrative. Job’s story is not only about Job’s suffering and persevering faith, but mostly about God’s faithfulness. I became so caught up in Job’s story that I missed God’s story.

This shift in perspective on Job led me to reflect on how we should approach the Bible as a whole. It has a historical message, and should be read with the specific time and culture in mind. It offers a broad perspective, addressing particular principles or ideologies, and it is also deeply personal. We can read Scripture and find something fresh in it every day as God speaks to us personally within our circumstances. We should be careful not to take Scripture out of context, especially when we apply it to ourselves within our personal settings. Keeping this in mind when we read Job 1:1-12, we see an interesting turn of events. God, our Father, has a conversation with the evil one who seeks to destroy one of God’s children. The devil will always seek to destroy us. That’s his nature. God, however, places limits on what he can do.

In the next chapter, we see the following: “Satan replied to the Lord, ‘Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!’ ‘All right, do with him as you please,’ the Lord said to Satan. ‘But spare his life.'” (Job 2:4-6)

Once again, God places limitations on Satan.

God speaks 

Of course, we sit with Job in his agony, and listen to his friends adding to his misery. When God finally answers Job, His response reveals His greater purpose. It seems as if God is challenging Job for questioning God’s wisdom from his finite perspective. God makes it clear that His wisdom is infinitely greater than ours, and this interaction between God and Job leads Job to a greater understanding and a revelation of God. 

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?’” (Job 38:1-2) 
This is followed by, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.” (Job 38:4) 
“Then the Lord said to Job, ‘Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?’” (Job 40:1-2) 
Job answered God: “I am nothing—how could I ever find the answers? I will cover my mouth with my hand. I have said too much already. I have nothing more to say.” (Job 40:4-5)

Maybe Job’s answers do not make sense. It didn’t make sense to me, until I realized that the revelation is found in the following passage: 
“Then Job replied to the Lord: I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.’” (Job 42:1-6)

Job said, “now I have seen you with my own eyes.” Job had a revelation of God. I did too. I saw that God never left Job. Didn’t He promise in Hebrews 13:5 that He would never leave us? In fact, in Deuteronomy God constantly promised Moses and Joshua that He would be with them (Deuteronomy 31:1-7, 23). He will always be with us regardless of our circumstances.

“Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money [including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions] and be satisfied with your present [circumstances and with what you have]; for He [God] Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!]” (Hebrews 13:5) 
This is not all. Job must have realized that not only did God never abandon him, He protected his life. Our earthly possessions can be easily lost, and easily restored. If our loved ones believe in Jesus, and receive Him as Lord and Savior, they will never be lost to us. We will meet again someday. David reminded us of this reality. 
“David said, While the child was still alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, Who knows whether the Lord will be gracious to me and let the child live? But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me.” (2 Samuel 12:22-23) 
We see that Job received a double blessing of everything, including his children. What a wonderful confirmation that his children who died were not lost to him. 

Tests and trials 

Does this mean that we will be tested? Will we face trials? Will we have troubles and tribulations? Yes, of course. It’s important to remember that Jesus didn’t come to earth to save us from suffering, but through suffering. However, the same God who watched over Job, and protected him, will watch over us, and protect us. 
“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) 
Does Job’s story suggest that we too will receive double of what we have lost? Not necessarily. 

Although God promises a double blessing to Israel, this promise doesn’t necessarily apply to us. “Instead of shame and dishonor, you will enjoy a double share of honor. You will possess a double portion of prosperity in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours. ‘For I, the Lord, love justice. I hate robbery and wrongdoing. I will faithfully reward my people for their suffering and make an everlasting covenant with them.’” (Isaiah 61:7-8) 
God does not want us to chase after blessings. He wants us to draw close to Him and be content with our circumstances, knowing that He will never forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5)

My final take from Job’s story 

Reflecting on Job’s story has taught me to trust God’s presence in my own trials, knowing He is always faithful. I can trust Him with my life, and my needs, even when I don’t understand my situation.