Hope For The Mistreated :: Deeper Devotion

By Brian J. Mann

James 5:11
Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

James was writing to early Christians who were being mistreated by their rich brothers within the church. They could have easily expressed their hurts in a way which would have only made their situation worse. James reminded them of Job’s testimony which was the result of a terrible trial. Although Job was not patient during the entire trial, Job’s testimony was one of success. This was because of the compassion and mercy of God. God forgave Job for saying some things out of anger while in the midst of his trial. That’s why these brothers heard of the steadfastness of Job and not the sin of Job.

The result of Job enduring the trial was a deeper relationship with God. Job not only heard about the Lord, he saw Him. During his trial he was in the dark, but in the end there was a great light which revealed God for who He really was and is—compassionate and merciful.

When we are facing present trials we must be careful to look to the end for which they were created, namely, so that we would see God for who He really is. Oftentimes it is during our weakest times that we realize we have made some mistakes. But instead of remaining in our guilt, we can bring those mistakes to Christ, be forgiven, and walk by faith. Our testimony in the end will be that we remained steadfast, and through such a testimony Jesus Christ will be seen shining like the sun.

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