Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse GOD and die!”

But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks.

Shall we indeed accept good from GOD and not accept adversity?”

In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Job 2:9-10

This is a powerful but brief conversation held between a man and his wife. This couple had lost everything they had, including their ten children, and his health (Job 1:12-19, Job 2:1-10).

She was suffering emotionally because of their losses, couldn’t stand to be near her husband (Job 19:17), and so she spoke as a foolish or ungodly woman (Psa 14:1, Pro 18:2); suggesting to her husband that he not just die, but curse GOD and die. She in essence was telling him to blame GOD for his adversity and then give up, lay down and die.

How many times when you were going through some real difficult times did you hear the enemy accuse our Beloved LORD GOD? This despicable spirit whispered; it’s GOD’s fault, HE doesn’t love you, HE doesn’t hear your prayers, turn from HIM, give up, it’s no use.

Our GOD is a good GOD (Psa 25:8, Psa 86:5, Nah 1:7). HE loves you and tests you through the furnace of affliction (Isa 48:10, Zec 13:9), not to destroy you but to purify and refine you (Dan 12:10, Rev 3:18-19). It is in that furnace that your weaknesses, your fears and your doubts are burned up, your faith becomes more genuine, authentic, real (1 Pet 1:7), and perseverance, proven character and hope are formed in you (Rom 5:3-4).

In returning to Job, the husband in the conversation in Job 2:9-10, we learn a few things about him as we read his story in the Book of Job:

• When he suffered debilitating economic loss, and at the very same time suffered the loss of all ten of his children, through his grief he continued to worship and trust GOD (Job 1:20-22)
• Job experienced his fear (Job 3:25) and came out on the other side of it (Job 42:16-17)
• He forgave those who tormented and abandoned him during his suffering (Job 42:7-11)

Today, let us who love our Beloved LORD GOD, be like Job, Habakkuk and all those who have gone before us; let us praise HIM not because of our circumstances but because of our trust in HIM despite our circumstances.

Though the fig tree should not blossom

And there be no fruit on the vines,

Though the yield of the olive should fail

And the fields produce no food,

Though the flock should be cut off from the fold

And there be no cattle in the stalls,

Yet I will exult in The LORD,

I will rejoice in The GOD of my salvation.

The LORD GOD is my strength,

And HE has made my feet like hinds’ feet,

And makes me walk on my high places.

Habakkuk 3:17-19