This week’s daily readings:

This week’s devotional:

Tested by God

by Sue Hersey

Scripture:

But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
My feet have closely followed his steps;
    I have kept to his way without turning aside.
I have not departed from the commands of his lips;
    I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.

— Job 23:10-12 (NIV)

Reflection:

Have you been reading the book of Job, like I have, as part of our Bible Reading Plan? If so, maybe we’re both experiencing the same questions and confusion over Job’s situation. Doesn’t it make you wonder why God would ever subject him to so much misery and loss? If Job really was such a “blameless and upright” man (as it says in the beginning of the book), why would God allow Satan to dole out what probably felt like punishment? Surely, God had a purpose in doing that!

Job seems to be the poster child for bad fortune and suffering. No doubt, we can relate to his woes—to some extent—in that we all go through difficult trials in life. But who among us handles our suffering so well? If anything, Job is likely being held up as an example of how God would like us to stand up during hardships. The Apostle Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:17, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” We’re assured, here, that there is a silver lining—a purpose to our suffering. Job had a David-like faith in God and his word, and that gave him remarkable confidence in the face of adversity. It’s a shame that Job lived centuries before Paul and did not have the benefit of New Testament verses to bolster him. This quote from Romans 15:13 would have comforted him, as well: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Another reliable voice from the past has lent clarity to today’s passage from Job. Charles Spurgeon was a highly influential preacher in England back in the 1800s. His Bible commentaries can still be found online and are a wonderful resource to bring more understanding to the Scriptures. Here are some thoughtful questions he asks us all concerning that first Bible verse quoted above (Job 23:10):

“I shall ask four questions of every man within reach of my voice. God knoweth the way that you take. I will ask you first: Do you know your own way? Secondly: Is it a comfort to you that God knows your way? Thirdly: Are you tried in the way? And, if so, fourthly: Have you confidence in God as to the result of that trial? Can you say with Job, ‘When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold?’”

When Job made that confident assertion (“I will come forth as gold”), he was referring to the refining process used to remove impurities from precious metals. Just as gold and silver can be purified by fire, God puts us to the test as a way to remove the sin that make us less than righteous. In the process, we are refined in a spiritual way. Believers have the promise of being transformed by the Holy Spirit to become more like Jesus and, in the process, we experience difficulties and loss. Of course, all through our hard times, we are encouraged to hold fast to God for the strength and comfort to get us through. Like Job, we would do well to follow the path God sets for us and to stick closely to his word where great treasures can always be found!

Prayer:

My God, I can’t begin to understand your ways, but I find comfort knowing that you love me and want what’s best for me. Lord, keep me close to you and give me wisdom through your word. Help me to be obedient and to walk in the right path. Keep me strong throughout my trials. Give me confidence that I will pass the test, knowing that the hard times I go through will serve to make me more like Jesus and bring me to a glorious end. In his loving name I pray. Amen

Week 36: September 6-12, 2026 - Tested by God

CONTACT US