The Meaning of Providence -- Message on book of Job

Hi Jeanette,

Hang in there. Keep your eyes on the Cross. God always has a reason for what happens to His children. I don’t always understand His ways, but I submit to them. All of us suffer through trials. We are all tested in the ‘furnace of affliction’ at one time or another.

I am going to post a link at the bottom of this page to a short study on the book of Job. The dates are 2/2 and 2/3 – The Meaning of Providence. Consider listening to them to better understand the difficult doctrine of Providence.

The following I posted to someone else earlier, but I believe these words apply to anyone going through trial such as you are. Also, I highly recommend the book, Spiritual Depression, by Martyn Lloyd-Jones. MLJ understood what it was like to be in tested and to go through manifold trials. You will find a link to Spiritual Depression under my post of this page, The Logic of an Apostle.


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You will find much wisdom in the book of Job. I believe the highest and greatest expression of faith in the entire Bible is found in the book of Job:

>>Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him… Job 13:15<<

In spite of all the trials that God allowed in Job’s life, Job still praised and trusted God.


We learn from 1st Peter that we must suffer all kinds of trials when we are truly born again as adopted children into the family of God. God does this to discipline (or chastise) us. Just as an earthly father must discipline his children, so our Heavenly Father must chastise us. Fathers do this as an act of love, for our own good. Please read the following verses:

>>Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. 1Pe 1:3-7<<

Notice in the verse above that our Heavenly Father tests us with fire to refine us like hardened steel, to strengthen our faith. I believe He does this to prepare us for greater challenges that lay ahead of us. This refining process is also mentioned in the Old Testament, in the book of Isaiah:

>>See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. Isa 48:10<<

Every child of God is placed in God’s furnace of affliction at one time or another. This is done for our good and His glory to strengthen us like hardened steel for His purpose. Praise Him for it.

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The book of Hebrews confirms our Father’s love for us. The very fact that we are being disciplined is a sign of God’s love for us:

>>And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My son, do not make light of the Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when he rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes everyone he accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in his holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Heb 12:5-11<<

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You will find many reasons why God disciplines us throughout the Bible. Here are 2 from the Psalms:

>>Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. Ps 119:67<<

>>It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees. Ps 119:71<<


One purpose for afflictions is to bring us closer to God, to learn His word and follow His ways

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Jeanette, I praise God for your faithfulness to Him through your trial. You are an inspiration. May God bless you as you serve Him.

The Meaning of Providence (2/2 and 2/3)