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Have you ever felt like you were being tested? What if your struggles weren’t just random acts of misfortune, but part of a much bigger story—a story involving faith, resilience, and the very character of God?

In Episode 6 of our podcast, “Let Us Rethink,” titled “The Journey of Job: The Test You Didn’t Know You Were Taking,” we pull back the curtain on one of the most profound aspects of the Book of Job. Is suffering a punishment, or could it be a test—even a sign of God’s trust in you? Join us as we rethink what God might be doing in your most difficult seasons.

Listen to the full conversation:

• YouTube: Let Us Rethink Ep. 6: The Journey of Job: The Test You Didn’t Know You Were Taking
• Spotify: S1E6: The Journey of Job: The Test You Didn’t Know You Were Taking

This episode draws from Pastor Sam Merigala’s sermon “Testing of Your Faith” – Part 4 of the Suffering & Grace Series (2024), which you can explore further here: https://youtu.be/IBOi5W7xoNI

Behind the Scenes of Job’s Story: A Heavenly Perspective

Our latest podcast discussion reveals the “behind the scenes” spiritual dimension of Job’s trials, offering a new lens through which to view suffering:

• A Heavenly Council: The story opens not on earth, but with a “behind the curtain peak” at a heavenly council where God, angels, and even Satan are in conversation. This sets the stage for a more complex understanding of how the spiritual world interacts with our lives.
• A Divine Wager: God points out Job’s righteousness, and Satan, acting as “the adversary,” challenges this. He wagers that Job’s faith is purely transactional—that he only worships God because of the blessings he receives. This raises the unsettling question: Is Job just a pawn in a cosmic game?
• God’s Sovereignty Over Evil: The sermon explores the challenging idea that God, in His sovereignty, may use even evil agencies to carry out His divine plan. This doesn’t mean God is evil, but that He can use all things—like a chess master using every piece—to achieve His ultimate strategy.
• The Test Begins: God gives Satan permission to test Job, but with strict boundaries. The goal isn’t to punish Job, but to reveal the true nature of a faith that endures when everything is stripped away.
• The Unraveling: Job loses everything in an instant—his wealth, his servants, and most horrifically, all of his children. Despite this unimaginable tragedy, Job’s immediate response is to fall to the ground and worship.
• The Second Test: Satan isn’t convinced and argues that Job has only remained faithful because he hasn’t suffered physically. God again permits a test, allowing Job to be afflicted with agonizing sores, but his life must be spared.
• Faith That Transcends Circumstance: Even as his wife urges him to “curse God and die,” Job refuses. He powerfully asks, “Shall we receive good from God and shall we not receive evil?” This demonstrates a faith rooted not in blessings, but in a deep trust of God’s character.

Wrestle With Us: Reflection Questions

As you consider the idea of your own faith being tested, reflect on these questions from our discussion:

• Am I responding to hardship as a victim, or as someone being refined by God?
• Do I expect faith to protect me from pain—or to carry me through it?
• What might God be revealing about Himself through my testing?

Let Us Rethink — Not to Doubt, But to Deepen

Job’s story blows apart the simple idea that if you’re good, only good things will happen. It dismantles a transactional view of faith and invites us into something deeper. It suggests that even in our darkest moments, God is present and working to bring good from our suffering. The ultimate challenge for us is this: Can we really trust God when our own world is falling apart?

Connect & Grow Further:

• Subscribe to “Let Us Rethink”: Find us on YouTube and Spotify for weekly deep-dive reflections rooted in Scripture, suffering, and purpose.
• Explore More from Grace Gospel Church: For more resources to grow in your faith, including sermon archives and upcoming events, please visit our website: www.gracegospel.church
• Follow Us: Join our community for ongoing encouragement. Find Grace Gospel Church (GGEFDE) on Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram.

We pray this exploration of Job’s tests encourages you to find solace and strength in the knowledge that God is with you, no matter what.