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 remained faithful.”
The devil replied, “The only reason Job hasn’t cursed You is because he is completely healthy.”
So the Lord allowed the devil to make Job sick. The devil caused painful sores to break out all over Job’s body. Yet even though he was suffering greatly, Job did not sin or turn against God.
Does sickness come from God?
People have different ideas about the reasons for sickness. While it is not always clear why someone becomes sick, there are a few things 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 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 Himself—often by healing the person (John 9:3).
Our bodies are like flimsy tents (2 Corinthians 5:1–3). Sometimes we get sick because we do not look after our bodies properly. But even healthy people get sick sometimes because sin brought problems into the world, and our bodies do not always work as they should.
Jesus died to bring healing. He is the One who heals our diseases (Psalm 103:3).
We cannot fully understand God’s ways or His purposes. However, when you are sick, you can be sure that Jesus cares for you. He feels deep compassion for those who are sick (Matthew 14:14).
Verse for today
The Lord sustains them on their sickbed and restores them from their bed of illness. Psalm 41:3
