We have all heard the phrase “no matter what.” This is a statement of determination. A declaration of commitment that says our decision to do something is already made. In our society, there are few things people will determine will happen no matter the cost. We say we are committed to something, until something else comes along. We deceive ourselves into believing we are truly committed to Christ even though we miss services, study of His word, and spending time in prayer. When we zoom out in life and examine everything we do in light of who God is and what He has done for us, a no-matter-what attitude should guide our decisions. A person who is thankful no matter what is someone God can depend on. Job was a no-matter-what kind of Christian. He had committed to God long before his trials and had been successful, yet God allowed Satan to tempt Job in every area of his life. A thankful heart always shows gratitude and is willing to die rather than compromise.
God allowed Satan to cause great loss to Job to prove to Satan Job was a man who was anchored in serving His God. In Job 1:1, God describes Job. “There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” God’s words about Job show us the confidence that God had in His servant. He allows Satan to do as he wishes with Job, except he cannot take his life.
In verses 14-15, the Sabeans came and slaughtered his oxen, donkeys, and all of his servants but one. That one escaped and ran to tell Job what had happened.
In verse 16, lightning struck the field where the sheep and his shepherds were, and fire consumed all but one shepherd, who ran to Job to tell him the news.
In verse 17, the Chaldeans kill his camels and servants. Again, one servant survived to run to tell Job what had happened.
Next, the same scenario happens. In verses 18 and 19, a strong wind, probably like our tornadoes, came and collapsed the house where his children were eating together, and it killed all of them.
All of these calamities happened one right after another. If you read the passage, while one servant was telling what had happened in his area of service, another one showed up with what had happened in his area. Each time, one remained to run and tell what happened. The last time this happened, Job reacted in a manner that showed his gratitude.
Job 1:20-22 “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
Job’s response was sorrow for what had happened. He tore his robe, shaved his head, and fell to the ground. This was an expression of great pain, but he did not allow the pain to control him. He allowed it to send him to his knees to worship the Lord. He was not bitter, blaming God and asking, “How could you do this to me? I’ve been your servant.” No, he said, “Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Job’s reaction to his circumstances teaches us that true gratitude is anchored in God’s character, not in our temporary circumstances. Job had a reverence and an understanding of who God is. He understood that God does not owe us anything!
The truth of who we worship and why is proven in our pain. When life is easy, thankfulness is easy. However, we can also get so used to things going well that, when they don’t, we act as if God has done us wrong and focus on ourselves instead of our God. Job’s response shows that praise and trust through grief and trials reveal who we are and whose we are.
Thankfulness can also coexist with deep sorrow. He did not fake a smile or bottle up his sorrow; he grieved deeply, asked some hard questions, and expressed his pain to God. He believed in God’s sovereignty and trusted Him completely.
Job’s sufferings were more than most of us have ever experienced. He lost his family, his health, his friends, and his wealth. He had conversations with God, but his testimony remained true to God. The book of Job has 42 chapters. It shows that Job was a great man. It reveals how wealthy he was and how it was gone, but God restored it. His children die, and his friends make accusations that Job is suffering because of sins he has committed. His wife tells him to curse God and die. Finally, Job begins to question God. In his pain, he wanted to know what he had done or why he was targeted with so much pain and grief. God answers with the final say. God responds much like a parent to a young, immature child. Their dialogue is lengthy, but to sum up the ultimate answer, God says in Job 38:4 when he asks Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding.” Job repents, and his attitude is humility and thankfulness. He realizes God always knows best, and His knowledge of our circumstances is complete and will always be for our betterment. Some things we may not understand on this side of Heaven; therefore, we are to put our complete trust in who God is and whatever He does. No matter what happens, we are to praise and thank Him. He owes us nothing, yet extends to us everything in the redemption of our souls through the blood sacrifice of His Son. How could we not be grateful?
