The outcome of this in terms of his despair was, by the goodness of God, going to accomplish a great deal for Job, even though he did not respond as he should to God’s chastisement, even though some of these troubles were brought about by his own sin. Job found it hard to pray due to a lack of God’s felt presence. When we lack patience to bear trials, we always become very bad sufferers. God’s truth is no longer the thing you trust in. God has a whole cluster of lessons for Job and for us in these events.
God knew how much better all would be as a result of these trials. He knew where it was all leading. Job would be deeply ashamed that he ever doubted God. He would be far more prepared in future to trust concerning what God had done in his life and the doctrines of the faith; he would trust these far more than his own feelings. Before this time he had always had outward tokens of God’s favour. Now he was learning to trust the teaching in the absence of all feeling. We must trust God still when feelings fail. Have we learned to be loyal in all circumstances?
He was also to get a glimpse of the strategies and the cunning of the enemy of souls. It is not until we know depression of soul that we get an idea of the subtlety we are up against.
Job is going to learn to renew self-examination. You blame God and other things instead of examining yourself. Incidentally, they are very important lessons to learn to be a pastor to others, lead them through similar experiences.
Baxter used to advise depressed a ration the time they give to thinking at all. If it helps, be much in the presence of others. Try to think positively and to consciously shut out negative thoughts.
It is a sad thing when believers turn to soap operas like ‘The Archers’ to try to boost their mood, and become concerned about the details of these petty lives. It shows they have not lost the capacity to feel after others, so why not exercise these feelings for believers and for the Lord’s work?
Remember again most of all the Lord and the grounds of our salvation. No matter what happens, my salvation is as safe as his infallibility. All our hope is tied up with that.