So, you have problems! Is that a reason to turn from God and His church? James said, “My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful” (Jas. 5:10,11).

Put yourself in Job’s shoes for a moment.

1. He lost his wealth. In rapid succession three messengers came telling him that his oxen, donkeys and camels had been taken, and his servants killed.

2. He lost his children. The fourth messenger told him that his sons and daughters had been killed.

3. He lost his health. Satan “struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head” (Job. 2:7). At this point, his wife lost her faith and suggested that Job “curse God and die,” but he rebuked her, and “in all this Job did not sin with his lips” (Job 2:10).

4. He lost his friends. His three friends made accusations against him because they did not understand why he was suffering.

Any one of these trials would test most of us, but imagine having all of them at once! If Job had turned from God, would he have been turning from the source of his troubles? No, he would have been turning to the source, which is exactly what many people do today when they turn from the Lord, to the devil, in the face of troubles.