Job 4:5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.

When Job was done cursing his day, Eliphaz the Temanite made his first speech. He charged Job of hypocrisy. He reminded Job how he had in previous times, helped many who were afflicted and encouraged the weak: “Behold, you have instructed many, and you have strengthened the weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, and you have made firm the feeble knees” (Job 4:3-4, ESV).

But Job could not encourage himself when he was afflicted like them: “But now it has come to you, and you are impatient; it touches you, and you are dismayed” (Job 4:5, ESV). That is, now that the same afflictions which others have had, and in which Job had so successfully exhorted and comforted them have dawned on him, it is no longer a thing about which Job can coolly sit down and reason. Instead of evincing the calm submission which he had exhorted others to do, his mind is now disturbed and restless and he vents his complaints against the day of his birth.

I believe this reaction happens to all men. It is an easy thing to give counsel to others, and to exhort them to be submissive in trial. It is easy to utter general maxims, and to suggest passages of Scripture on the subject of affliction, and even to impart consolation to others. But when trial comes to ourselves, we often fail to realise the power of those truths to console us. We begin to mire in self-pity and try to find the reason for it. We may even rebuke those who try to comfort us and tell them talk is easy, just wait till they are in the same situation as we are experiencing now.

It is often necessary that he who is appointed to comfort the afflicted, should be afflicted himself. Then he can truly “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15).

In work, we talk about experience. Now, what is “experience”? “Experience” is direct personal participation; a personal involvement. When you have been in that same situation before, you know what it is and how it feels. Job had never had that experience of suffering and pain, but he is having it now. The principles of how to overcome pain and suffering, he has to apply it on himself. Suddenly, it feels different and not easy. Indeed, it is easier said than done.

It’s one reason why God allows the Christian to suffer; so that he can comfort others. Paul wrote: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4).

It is only when it comes to the crunch that true faith is manifested. All the fine speeches and sermons about faith are just words. Real faith is revealed when it has undergone the baptism of fire: “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). Can your faith pass the test of fire?

Eliphaz asked Job: “Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?”(Job 4:6). He implied, “Isn’t God your confidence? What was become of it? You have taught others to put their trust in God but where is your faith now?” He was suggesting Job never had that kind of true faith he boasted about because he had failed the test.

Do we have genuine faith in God? Can our faith pass the test of fire? It is a question only we know the answer. And perhaps, it will never be known until we sit for the test. “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). 

Jimmy Lau

Psa 119:97  Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.