Endurance

James 5 reminds us of the story of Job, the man of suffering.

We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

Runners who endure great hardship in order to finish a race get great recognition and praise, as the fall over the finish line, with shin splints, pulled muscles, and injuries.  People shout in one voice because that runner endured such pain and hardship, yet finished. 

However, when we endure conflict and pain, we want to sit on the sidelines, quit the race, and shake our fist up at God in anger, because he “let” us fall.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

When we hear of Job’s endurance and see his outcome, we realize that God is fully aware of our circumstances and has a plan of restoration.

There’s always a plan for restoration. There has been, since the first sin and the first fall.  That’s who God is – a God of restoration.  Full restoration and more…

We need to read the book of Job over and over again, hearing of the faithfulness of God in the middle of despair.

And we need to count ourselves blessed, when all else is failing.  Because God is with us, he is for us, and he is merciful to restore and heal.