Reading straight through Scripture, I knew the book of Job was coming next. Sighing to my husband, I began to prepare myself. Job is one of those books that I stiffen up reading. His story begins like a fairytale- prosperity, happiness, abundance. That almost makes what happens next worse.
Satan comes before God. He’s been roaming the earth, presumably busily stirring up evil. God- yes, God mentions dear Job to the devil himself.
In fact, God asks Satan if he has considered Job, pointing out how righteous and godly the man is. Satan challenges God, accusing Job of fearing God only because he has been so successful in life.
The Accusation
“Glorify” means to ascribe value according to the substance of who or what you are evaluating.
To glorify God is to ascribe value to God according to who He really is.
In shorthand,
Glorifying God = valuing God Himself Click To TweetWhen Satan suggests that Job only reveres (values!) God because God blesses him, Satan is saying that Job doesn’t value God for God, but for his own gain.
Ouch. Prideful Satan can’t fathom that Job loves God for God. So He accuses Job of falsely worshipping God.
The Proposition
In the Bible, we read that God doesn’t flinch when Satan makes false accusations. Instead, in this case, God says “very well then.” Confident of Job’s righteousness and love for Him, God lets Satan test him.
Basically, Job has a chance to defend his honor. Job, unbeknownst to himself, is a witness to Satan. Because of his genuine love for God, Job gets to glorify God indisputably.
The Why
Imagine the honor! Imagine if God responded to Satan’s accusations with such confidence in us!
In all Job’s questioning and wondering “why me?” we never read that he thought God was honoring him. But God was!
Job’s story resonates with that of the man born blind. His inferred accusers asked the question “who has sinned that this man suffers so?” They assumed, like Job’s friends, that God doesn’t allow suffering to those who glorify Him.
Jesus’ response was consistent with God’s purposes for Job:
“This suffering is so that God’s glory might be displayed.”
Asking Why With the Answer in Mind
When we go through hardship, it may not be that Satan is sifting us like wheat. It may not be that God is thoroughly confident about our pure love for Him. But equally, it may not be punishment for a specific sin we’ve committed.
Often, hardships experienced in Scripture occur because they ultimately bring God glory.
God’s glory is always our why as believers.
“Why me?” Job could say. God’s response, according to His own record, would be: “because you fear me and this is an opportunity to glorify me.”
“Why me?” Hannah might have said. God’s response, as proven in time, was that she glorified Him in earnest prayer and bearing in His perfect timing a son who would also glorify Him.
“Why me?” the man born blind didn’t have to ask…God already answered “so that my glory may be displayed.”
“Why me?” Paul might have asked from a prison cell, but he knew the answer too, and he called himself a prisoner of Christ with joy. He was chained for God’s glory!
“Why me?” we ask.
The answer to our “why?” is always in at least one way the same: so that God may be glorified.
The answer to our 'why?' is always in at least one way the same: so that God may be glorified. Click To Tweet…So that God may be valued according to who He is and not for what we or others want Him to be or do.
((A version of this post was originally published here))
LINKUP PARTY opens on Wednesdays at 6 am!
Christian Bloggers, come share your Blog with our audience below:
1. Add your Link.
2. Visit the blogger before or after and encourage them with a comment.
3. Share on social media. Click below to share on Twitter that you are joining us! We would love to have you follow the ministry on Twitter and Facebook as well: Soaring with Him FB Page
LINKUP is open. Join my friend @bethanymcilrath for a reflection on at least one answer to 'why' that's always true. Share your blog! #RechargeWednesday Click To Tweet
So often, when we ask, “Why me?” we’re focused on self rather than the bigger picture of God’s glory. In my urgent prayers and hopes for deliverance from trials, I need to remember to glorify God in them.
I’m so grateful he can be glorified even in our suffering!
Even when I ask “why”, may I be faithful to Him and my life bring Him glory.
Amen, Joanne!
Oddly, I never say, “Why me?” about all the many blessings God bestows on me, undeserved.
Oooo that’s a good point, Michele!
I think the longer we live, the more we realize that lots of things happen to lots of people for reasons we’ll never understand, but yes, if we can glorify God in those things, regardless of what they are, we’ll have lived our purpose!
Agreed, Lisa! Thanks for giving that perspective!
Thank you, Bethany, reframing our questions when walking in the hard places ultimately brings more comfort and intimacy with God than when we focus on “why me?”
So grateful we can have that comfort and intimacy in him!
Bethany, excellent! May I, like the disciples, keep that perspective and rejoice in all things so that God may be glorified through me. A dear friend died this week from cancer. God was certainly glorified through her faith during her illness.
I’m sorry for your loss, Debbie! That’s so hard. Praise God for how He was glorified in her illness as she walked with him!
God’s glory is always our why. Yes and yes!
Thanks, Lauren!
Good post I never thought about God honoring Job, either!
Thank you!
“God’s glory is always our why as believers.” Such a powerful statement, Bethany. It’s so easy to get sucked into the why trap, but no matter the situation or how we’re feeling about it at any given moment, this is our sure release. Wonderful post!
“The why trap” – yes! Thanks, Lois!
Bethany, fresh insight and wisdom here. This thought that God’s glory is the why for believers is a powerful message. Thank you!
Thanks, Karen! Glad to see you here!