What Hope Is There in Sickness?

What Hope Is There in Sickness?

Surely you have instructed many,
And you have strengthened weak hands. Your words have upheld him who was stumbling,
And you have strengthened the feeble knees; But now it comes upon you, and you are weary;
It touches you, and you are troubled. Is not your reverence your confidence?
And the integrity of your ways your hope?
(Job 4:3-6 NKJV)

My wife and I were talking today. I want to share with you something she learned today in her quiet time. Why was Job sick? What was the purpose of Job being sick? In this scene, we have one of Job’s friends speaking to Job. Eliphaz comes to Job and says:

Look Job, you are sick, and there is something wrong with you. You need to get it figured out. When you find out what is wrong with you, then you can get healed. (This is my translation of his statements.) The basic problem that Job was experiencing, according to Eliphaz is Job himself.

Job encounters all kinds of trials. Whether it was the illnesses that plagued his body, the tragedies that swept through his family, or the insults that he received from his friends, Job still believes in God. Job continues to trust God.

So what was the purpose of Job’s sickness and tragedy? Why did it happen to him? Was it because he deserved it – like Eliphaz said?

My wife came to this conclusion: Job became sick so that other people could see his faith.

This was the only reason that makes sense. God tells Satan – I know a guy named Job and I want to show him to you. Satan turns and tries to ruin Job. God uses the opportunity to have Job show God to other people.

People often come and say their opinion, just as Eliphaz did. They will tell you what they think about you and your sickness. God expects you to share your experience, and especially when you share God with them.

God blesses sick people when they take the time to show God to other people. This is the hope that someone has when they are sick. Being sick is not hopeless. Being sick is an opportunity to share the hope of God to people who need to see God.