God doesn’t cause our pain, but He can use our pain if we keep our hearts right before him.
When our integrity is in the fire, we must be careful not to draw reactionary conclusions that are theologically incorrect.
After all the lengthy exchanges, God finally answers, speaking first to Job.
Job 38:1-4 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. ESV
No matter how mad you are at God, God is always right. God’s address to Job is direct making this significant statement twice:
Job 38:3 and Job 40:7 both use this phrase, “dress for action like a man.” Other translations say, “stand up like a man” and “Gird up your loins like a man.”
God’s not rebuking Job for asking questions — He’s inviting him to rise up from despair and search for purpose in the pain. God didn’t cause it, but God will use it if we give to him. Stand up like a man Job. Face me! I’m not done with you yet! God was saying: “I know you’ve been through the fire, but now it’s time to rise from the ashes.”
We see this idea of girding up your loins in New Testament as well. It literally means tighten your belt and prepare for action.
1 Peter 1:13 Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. NKJV
Ephesians 6:14 Stand therefore, having girded your loins with the belt of truth.
We are at war. No matter what happens we must be intentional about being mentally and spiritually prepared for action. Even our difficulties can be used by God to strengthen us!
Before traveling to Africa, I was required to get a yellow fever shot. I actually got yellow fever briefly as a result of the vaccine. A brief exposure to what would normally kill you creates strength within you to conquer that sickness.
The devil is like a serpent that wants to bite you and take control of your life. But Jesus, 2 Cor 5:21 who knew no sin became sin briefly so he could become the vaccine to cure you from devil’s bite!
When we follow the example of Jesus we embrace our past as part of his immunization plan to cure others. The problems and pain of your past become purposed when you place them in the hands of your God!
Jonah was sent by God to deal with disobedience of Nineveh. Interestingly his response is disobedience, the very thing God wanted him to deal with. In his brief exposure to disobedience God did a work deep within his life and he became a strategic cure for disobedience!
Jesus was suffering and dying while Peter denied him and the rooster crowed but God’s eye never left him. His mistake never disqualified him from God’s plan to for him to give the inaugural address at the birth of the New Testament church!
We tend to look at our past incorrectly. All of your suffering and all of your pain almost killed you knocking you to your knees making you secretly feel worthless was a strengthening agent in your life. God wasn’t trying to kill you. He was making a strategic cure out of you!
Job’s long defense shows that faithfulness in pain prepares the heart for deeper revelation. Fire burns away the things that tend to distract us. Deeper places exist but you must intentionally go there and when you do certain things can no longer live at those depths.
We tend to view our problems as weapons in the hand of the enemy to be used against us. Our problems are actually weapons in the hand of God to be used for us.
Grapes are crushed to make wine. Diamonds are formed under pressure. Olives are pressed to release oil. Seeds grow and multiply after they’re buried. If you feel crushed, under pressure, pressed or somewhat buried alive, you’re in a powerful place of transformation. Trust the process!
Job 29:6 When my steps were bathed in (butter), And the rock poured out for me streams of oil! NAS
We are marked by his anointing. Our steps release something of a mark in the earth drawing attention to Jesus.
GP2RL: Practice 1 Thessalonians 5:18 this week, “In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” NAS
