Are there some who haven’t really seen the greatness of God? Perhaps there is a lightness about us. We are truly converted, but we may be lightweight believers. We have not sought to advance in our understanding; we cannot be relied upon to bear burdens for the Lord; we go to pieces in trials. We are saved and trust God, but always we need to see more deeply.
Job’s greatest development came out of trial and hardship. He learnt so much from this. He learnt how small was his trust, how limited were his capabilities, how backslidden he could soon become, and what he should have been. Our greatest advances often come through trials. Our real level of dependence on God will always be revealed by trials: where we really stand; how when in difficulty we react. Trials have spiritual significance; they are part of God’s training for us.
But Job’s trials have a far greater significance than even his sanctification. Satan is proved wrong. He claims that believers only serve God for what they can get. But Job would not let go of the Lord. He holds onto God no matter what it costs. Through suffering. God weans us from ourselves and fixes out minds on the promises.