the faith of job
"I know that my Redeemer liveth." —Job 19:25, KJV
Job is known for his patience. He should be better known for his faith. When his ten children died in a tragic accident following three devastating financial setbacks for Job, he had the faith to say: "Naked I came forth from my mother's womb, and naked shall I go back again. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord!" (Jb 1:21)
When Job became critically ill and his wife told him to curse God and die, Job in faith said to her: "We accept good things from God; and should we not accept evil?" (Jb 2:10)
When Job's three friends accused him of being a sinner and a hypocrite, Job continued to proclaim his faith in these words: "As for me, I know that my Vindicator lives, and that He will at last stand forth upon the dust; Whom I myself shall see: my own eyes, not another's, shall behold Him, and from my flesh I shall see God" (Jb 19:25-27).
As Job continued in misery and in faith, he said to the Lord: "I know that You can do all things, and that no purpose of Yours can be hindered" (Jb 42:2).
Job was a man of great faith. Are you like Job? How strong is your faith during trials, mourning, sickness, and rejection? Grow in faith through prayer, God's word, evangelizing, and suffering redemptively. Work at it. "When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on the earth" and in your life? (Lk 18:8, our transl)
Prayer: Father, in the next two months give me an exponential growth in faith.
Promise: "The harvest is rich but the workers are few; therefore ask the Harvest-Master to send workers to His harvest." —Lk 10:2
Praise: Joan remained faithful in praying for her sister's return to the faith.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our tape on Hold Fast to the Faith on audio AV 71-1 or video V-71.)
Nihil Obstat: Reverend Richard L. Klug, April 10, 2002
Imprimatur: †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, April 18, 2002