Faith Tested, But Intact (Job 1-2)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
7 February 2021
Precious things are tested for purity. Gold is such a thing. Precious people in God’s sight, namely his people, are likewise tested. The good and righteous man Job was so tested. Supremely, Jesus Christ, the most righteous person who ever lived was not spared from suffering.
Job was righteous but he suffered immensely. Jesus was faultless but also suffered. People who have faith in God will suffer but their faith is intact. It is indestructible.
From Job chapters 1 and 2 observe four things about the testing of faith in God.
First, observe the dialogue between God and Satan. The veil between the visible and the invisible is slightly parted and we are given a glimpse of something that happened in the invisible world — the conversation between God and the devil, Satan.
In this dialogue Satan suggests Job has faith in God because of the props God gave him. Can faith stand when there are no props? This suggestion from Satan is most devious for it suggests that faith in God can fail but also God cannot protect his suffering people from abandoning faith in him. But Jesus came to bring forth faith in God. Could he fail in this? Certainly not!
Secondly, note God permits Satan to harm Job. Nothing can happen except by divine permission. Satan inflicts Job with the loss of wealth, family and ultimately health. Satan's fury is vicious and it was permitted by God. The Lord’s permissive will was also seen in the life of Jesus when Satan unleashed his fury on Jesus on the cross.
Thirdly, note the Lord not only permitted affliction on Job but also ordained it. God permits things to happen without violating human freedom. He takes our free acts to effect his purposes. But God also ordains all things yet in a way that he is not the author of sin or evil. Herein is a mystery. God permits and also ordains.
This is seen in the life of Jesus. God allowed the Jews and Gentiles to freely crucify Jesus. Yet the death of Jesus was also ordained before the foundation of the world. The crucifixion of Jesus was both allowed and ordained.
Finally note that despite Job’s trials his faith remained intact. Faith is indestructible. The saving faith planted in the human soul by the Holy Spirit cannot be destroyed. That which God does is permanent. Satan cannot destroy faith in God.
The overall lesson is that faith in God will be severely tested by Satan but it shall remain intact. It is indestructible. The devil cannot destroy the Divine.
Let all believers rest assured in the certainty of their faith and therefore the certainty of their salvation. When once you have believed in God through Jesus Christ no one can snatch you from the hand of God. All glory be given to our almighty God!