Job
June 8
Job 2:1-10
Another test for Job
Once again, when the angels came before God, the devil appeared there with them. The Lord asked him, “Have you noticed my servant Job? The last time you came, you persuaded Me to let you attack him for no reason—and yet he has stayed faithful.”
The devil replied, “The only reason Job hasn’t cursed You is because he is completely healthy.”
And so the Lord allowed the devil to make Job sick. The devil made sores break out all over Job’s body. Yet, even though his body was terribly sore all over, Job did not sin or turn against God.
Does sickness come from God?
People have different ideas about the reasons and causes of sickness. While it is not always clear why someone gets sick, there are a few things about sickness we can learn from the Bible:
Before Adam sinned, creation was perfect in every way. Sin brought sorrow, pain and death into the world; and we are a part of that imperfect world (Romans 8:22).
At times, God has used sickness as a punishment for sin. Gehazi, a servant of Elisha got leprosy because he sinned (2 Kings 5:26-27).
God may use someone’s sickness to bring glory to Him—often by healing the person (John 9:3).
Our body is like a flimsy tent (2 Corinthians 5:1-3). Sometimes we get sick because our bodies have a weakness, and some people get sick because they don’t look after their bodies.
Jesus died to bring healing. He is the One who heals our diseases (Psalm 103:3).
We cannot understand God’s ways and His purpose. However, when you are sick, you can be sure that Jesus cares for you—He feels a tender compassion for those who are sick (Matthew 14:14).
Verse for today
Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God's glory so that God's Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:4