Lessons for Christians from the Trials of Job

The purpose of this book is to show Christians that they have God-given tools to handle problems in their lives that the holiest person in the Old Testament did not have. God himself said that Job, who lived in Old Testament times, was the most blameless and upright man on earth. Severe, painful tragedies hit Job and they took away all of his most loved earthly treasures. Job endured a great trial. A purpose of a trial, for those who love the Lord, is to expose flaws and weaknesses in that person who needs to be perfected. Job lived in Old Testament times before Jesus came as our Savior. Benefits of having Jesus as a Savior include having him as our personal advocate between us and God the Father. Additionally, it was only after Jesus's death and resurrection that the Holy Spirit came to live in followers of Jesus, giving them strength, wisdom, and help. Job, and the rest of mankind, did not yet have these supernatural benefits in his day. They had to rely only on their own human abilities. Christians today have this immaculate benefit. Job did not. Job's trials exposed a weakness common to everyone who does not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior-he had to rely on his own human righteousness to get through his trial. It was insufficient for him, and he failed greatly. This book shows Christians that they have weapons at their disposal to handle problems in their lives that the most blameless and upright man in the world did not have-namely, the Son of God as his personal Savior and Advocate to God the Father, and the Holy Spirit living inside of him. We, Christians, today have these. We need to use them.