job title

The gathering song at church this morning (February 9th) was the beautiful old hymn, “I heard the voice of Jesus say…” The following line stood out - “I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad…” It made an impression on me because over the last 10 days I have been reading the Old Testament book of Job. I imagined Job in the face of unimaginable suffering sitting by himself feeling weary and worn and sad. 

It is a book I treasure and having reflected on the opening two chapters once again there are a cluster of words that outline the character of Job. He stands out because of his personal qualities. His integrity shines through in the following sentence: 

“(Job) was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil” (Job 1:1).

Character is always rated higher than brain power in the biblical vision of humanity. “Is he a good person?” is a more biblical question than, “Is he clever?”

Again, when the Bible touches on character it refers to more than natural strength of character, or a very well-balanced personality that some people are born with. In the letter of 2 Peter, Peter urges his readers to seek character from God. People who by nature are timid or indecisive can grow in strength and resolution in Christ. “By his divine power, God has given us everything we need to live a godly life…” (2 Peter 1:3). Character becomes godly only through experience. There is no college or university course available on character, only life and grace mixed together will enable it to happen. “These trials will show that your faith is genuine…So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory  and honour when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world” (1 Peter 1:7). Job was a man of such character.

The second characteristic of Job is found in the little phrase: “he feared God”.

Fear is one of our fundamental responses to God. The fear of Lord is something we can’t live without. This awe, reverence and adoration of God puts the whole of life into perspective.

A third aspect of Job’s character is his wisdom: “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom” (Job 28:28). His reverential slant of mind helped him to discern the truth.

This small sentence stands like a title over Job’s life providing a unique insight into the qualities which underpinned his life and faith. They act like an anchor in the storms that came his way. For much of the book Job is weary and worn and sad. Perhaps you feel like today. Take heart because Job was ultimately to find in God a resting place which made him glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest; 
Lay down, O weary one, lay down your head upon my breast.” 
I came to Jesus as I was, weary, worn, and sad; 
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

(Horatius Bonar)

(Picture - Rouken Glen, Glasgow)