Job 2:9–10 (NIV)
9 His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. |
There is a song called Desert Song that I used to regularly listen to during my university years. There was a particular part of the song that constantly resonated with me. Its message was simple: whatever the season, God remains God, and we still have a reason to worship.
That truth captures something of Job's response in today's passage.
Job's wife cannot understand how he can continue maintaining his integrity after everything they have experienced. Before judging her too harshly, consider what she has been through herself. She has lost her children. The family's possessions and livelihood have been devastated. Now her husband's health has deteriorated so severely that he sits amongst the ashes scraping his painful sores.
Any mother and wife could be rocked to the core by such events.
She asks Job:
“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job responds:
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
There is incredible depth to Job's conviction.
His circumstances have changed, but he refuses to conclude that God has changed.
We understand changing seasons well in Britain. Recently, climate scientists have been warning about the effects of a warming climate and the likelihood of increasingly hot summers and extreme temperatures in the UK. Many of our homes and buildings were simply not designed for prolonged periods of intense heat.
The seasons around us are changing.And life has seasons too.
There are seasons when doors seem to open everywhere. Seasons when prayers appear to be answered quickly. Seasons of celebration, growth and abundance. Then there are seasons when things don't make sense. Seasons of disappointment. Seasons of waiting. Seasons when prayers appear unanswered and following God feels harder than it did before.
Seasons change. God does not.
When I was at secondary school, I learnt something about my own ability to remain faithful through difficult seasons, although admittedly through something far less serious: football!
I was an Arsenal supporter surrounded by Manchester United fans. One particular week I had done a lot of talking before Arsenal played Manchester United. I had confidently defended my team and was convinced we were going to win.
Then the weekend came.
Arsenal lost.
I remember sitting in front of the television absolutely devastated. I was so frustrated I wanted to smash the TV! Even worse was knowing that Monday morning was coming and I would have to face everyone at school after everything I had said.
Eventually, after enough disappointment, I detached myself from Arsenal altogether.
In recent years I've found myself following them properly again, and I've even bought the 2026/27 shirt!
The truth is, I wasn't a particularly faithful supporter.
When the seasons became disappointing, I withdrew my support.
And perhaps, if we're not careful, we can approach God in a similar way.
When life is going well: God is good.
When the prayer is answered: God is faithful.
When the promotion comes: God is good.
When healing comes: God is faithful.
But what happens when the outcome isn't what we prayed for?
Job confronts us with an uncomfortable question: Is God only worthy of our worship when we like the season we are in?
Unlike a football team, God's character isn't dependent upon results. He doesn't have winning seasons and losing seasons. He is eternally God.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.” — Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
Human beings change. Experiences, disappointments, relationships, suffering and the passing of time can shape us profoundly.
But Scripture reveals a God whose essential character is constant.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
The God you worshipped in the good season is still God in the difficult season.
The God who was faithful when the prayer was answered is still faithful while you are waiting.
The God who was present on the mountaintop has not abandoned you in the valley.
And ultimately, our confidence is not simply that things will eventually go our way. Our confidence is that God's purposes will ultimately prevail and Christ's victory is certain.
So whatever season you find yourself in during this fast, settle this conviction within your heart:
In every season, He is still God.
That truth captures something of Job's response in today's passage.
Job's wife cannot understand how he can continue maintaining his integrity after everything they have experienced. Before judging her too harshly, consider what she has been through herself. She has lost her children. The family's possessions and livelihood have been devastated. Now her husband's health has deteriorated so severely that he sits amongst the ashes scraping his painful sores.
Any mother and wife could be rocked to the core by such events.
She asks Job:
“Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job responds:
“Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
There is incredible depth to Job's conviction.
His circumstances have changed, but he refuses to conclude that God has changed.
We understand changing seasons well in Britain. Recently, climate scientists have been warning about the effects of a warming climate and the likelihood of increasingly hot summers and extreme temperatures in the UK. Many of our homes and buildings were simply not designed for prolonged periods of intense heat.
The seasons around us are changing.And life has seasons too.
There are seasons when doors seem to open everywhere. Seasons when prayers appear to be answered quickly. Seasons of celebration, growth and abundance. Then there are seasons when things don't make sense. Seasons of disappointment. Seasons of waiting. Seasons when prayers appear unanswered and following God feels harder than it did before.
Seasons change. God does not.
When I was at secondary school, I learnt something about my own ability to remain faithful through difficult seasons, although admittedly through something far less serious: football!
I was an Arsenal supporter surrounded by Manchester United fans. One particular week I had done a lot of talking before Arsenal played Manchester United. I had confidently defended my team and was convinced we were going to win.
Then the weekend came.
Arsenal lost.
I remember sitting in front of the television absolutely devastated. I was so frustrated I wanted to smash the TV! Even worse was knowing that Monday morning was coming and I would have to face everyone at school after everything I had said.
Eventually, after enough disappointment, I detached myself from Arsenal altogether.
In recent years I've found myself following them properly again, and I've even bought the 2026/27 shirt!
The truth is, I wasn't a particularly faithful supporter.
When the seasons became disappointing, I withdrew my support.
And perhaps, if we're not careful, we can approach God in a similar way.
When life is going well: God is good.
When the prayer is answered: God is faithful.
When the promotion comes: God is good.
When healing comes: God is faithful.
But what happens when the outcome isn't what we prayed for?
Job confronts us with an uncomfortable question: Is God only worthy of our worship when we like the season we are in?
Unlike a football team, God's character isn't dependent upon results. He doesn't have winning seasons and losing seasons. He is eternally God.
“God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind.” — Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
Human beings change. Experiences, disappointments, relationships, suffering and the passing of time can shape us profoundly.
But Scripture reveals a God whose essential character is constant.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” — Hebrews 13:8 (NIV)
The God you worshipped in the good season is still God in the difficult season.
The God who was faithful when the prayer was answered is still faithful while you are waiting.
The God who was present on the mountaintop has not abandoned you in the valley.
And ultimately, our confidence is not simply that things will eventually go our way. Our confidence is that God's purposes will ultimately prevail and Christ's victory is certain.
So whatever season you find yourself in during this fast, settle this conviction within your heart:
In every season, He is still God.
Reflection
What season are you currently walking through?
Take some time today to write down reasons God is worthy of your praise that have nothing to do with your present circumstances.
Think about His character: His goodness, holiness, mercy, faithfulness, love and grace.
Then worship Him simply for who He is.
Take some time today to write down reasons God is worthy of your praise that have nothing to do with your present circumstances.
Think about His character: His goodness, holiness, mercy, faithfulness, love and grace.
Then worship Him simply for who He is.
Prayer
Father, You remain constant through every season of my life. When circumstances change, remind me that Your character does not. You are faithful in times of abundance and faithful in times of difficulty. You are good when I understand what You are doing and good when I do not. Reveal more of Your nature to me during this fast. Teach me not to build my faith upon circumstances, but upon the unchanging truth of who You are. Whatever season I find myself in, give me a reason to sing, a reason to worship and the faith to declare that You are still God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.