Job's Secret to Restoration: The Most Faithful Man and His Secret

Sometimes, it seems as though our trials will never end.  Job went through more trials and tribulations than any of us can even imagine.  Yet he went from the very worst possible circumstances to being restored with all of God’s blessings upon his life.  Job went from sickness to health, poverty to wealth, loss to gain, and heartache to joy.  How did that happen?  How did Job go from utter misery to the blessings of God? What was Job’s secret?  If you knew his secret, would you give it a shot?

Let’s first take a look at all that Job went through.  If you don’t know the story of Job, he was a good man; in fact, God said there was nobody like him in the world.  He was rich.  He had 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 donkeys, 500 yoke of oxen (which would be like 500 John Deere tractors today), and had ten healthy children.  One day, someone stole his oxen and donkeys.  A fire killed all his sheep.  Then one of Job’s servants said, “All ten of your children have died.”  But that wasn’t all—Job’s body was afflicted with boils from head to toe.  As if that weren’t enough, his own wife looked at him and basically said, “You’re a pitiful wreck!  Why don’t you just curse God and die?”  Later, Job had three friends who came to see him before criticizing him and turning their backs on him.  Through it all, Job stood the test and God consequently gave him twice as much as he had before! He got everything back and then some.  Job lived happily ever after.

Now, what was it that delivered Job’s captivity?  What was it that caused God to say, “Job, you’ve had enough”? Where was his turning point?

Many think God turned Job’s captivity because he had a good attitude through it all.  Although we should have good attitudes—even through the storms of life—that’s not when God turned it around.  We’ve been taught that because Job stood the test, didn’t complain, suffered graciously, didn’t sin, and trusted in God, God decided to bless him.  But the Bible says,

                "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before." Job 42:10

The word “friend” here doesn’t mean they were friends to him; it means he was a friend to them.  These are the same three friends who criticized and condemned Job.  One friend told Job that it was own fault that he was suffering; that he didn’t know God well enough.  Another friend blamed his suffering on his being a “hypocrite.”  Even though his friends put him down and hurt him, Job began to pray for his friends.  This is when God turned his captivity and restored his blessings.

Truly grasping this verse changed my Christian walk forever, and it can change yours, too.  It taught me not to harbor bitterness or animosity towards anyone.  It reminded me that we should pray for those who despitefully use us.  It reinforced the concept of blessing those who curse us and loving those who hate us.

I believe this verse is the reason I am one of the happiest people alive!  It’s not just because I trust God, although I do.  It’s not because I don’t complain during trials.  I don’t believe it’s because I don’t quit when I’m tested.  I truly believe the number one reason my life is blessed is because years ago, I decided to do what Job did and consistently pray for those who do me wrong.

If Christians will just learn to pray instead of criticize, love instead of hate, and forgive instead of have aught, God can transform their lives like never before.  You will never have the blessings of God if you aren’t right with your fellow man.  The only one you hurt by having the wrong heart condition toward another is yourself.  If you, like Job, need God to set you free from your captivity, try doing what Job did.

Pastor G
Daniel 12:3