The Purpose For Our Suffering
James 5:11 (ESV)-Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Job suffered terribly, losing his children, his home, and his business. Later, he was covered from head to toe with terrible boils and we see through his Book that he suffered in other ways as well. The Book describes his sores that burst open, oozed, scabbed, and which were full of puss (Job 2:7; 7:5). He endured intense itching (Job 2:8), disfiguration (Job 2:12), loss of appetite (Job 3:24), depression (Job 3:25), worms in infected skin (Job 7:5), shortness of breath and trouble breathing (Job 9:18), foul breath (Job 19:17), weight loss (Job 19:20; 33:21), continual pain (Job 30:27), high fever, chills, anxiety, and diarrhea (Job 30:30). Add to this his friends who blamed all of his woes on him, and a wife that told him he should just go ahead and curse God and die (Job 2-3), and we see poor Job in terrible suffering indeed. While at times he believed that God was being wicked and cruel to him (Job 9:22-25), Job decided ultimately to trust in God (Job 13:15). It isn’t until nearly two thousand years later that James writes of the “end” (NKJV) or “purpose” (ESV) that the Lord had in allowing Job’s suffering (James 5:11). Guy N. Woods writes of this passage:
“The word translated “end” here, telos, often with the significance of termination, consummation, etc., also designates purpose, aim, design, it’s obvious meaning here. We, in our day, and from our vantage point (James is saying), can now see the purpose and design of God’s plan in Job’s case, which was not nearly so apparent then. The over-all-lesson here indicated ought not to be lost on us today. There is “a divinity that shapes our ends,” and though, for the moment, we are unable to discern the purpose or plan which God has, we should patiently wait for the unfolding thereof, knowing that eventually he will vindicate himself and all matters will turn out for our good…That is, “the end” (design, purpose, plan) of the Lord is to show great pity and much mercy for his suffering saints. In Job’s case, the Lord exhibited the greatest pity and compassion; and, this will he also do for all who similarly endure. The phrase “full of pity” denotes the fact that God is tender-hearted; he is not unmindful of the agonies of his people, nor does he turn a deaf ear to their cries. He abounds in pity (polusplagchnos), he is filled with it. Moreover, he is “merciful,” (oiktirmon), I.e., full of compassion for those who suffer.” (Guy N. Woods, A Commentary On The Epistle Of James, 287; Nashville, TN; Gospel Advocate).
Trust in the Lord Who sees the beginning from the end. Give all of your cares to Him, trusting Him with every hardship, every grief, every anger, every disappointment, and every doubt. He loves you: the ultimate proof of that is seen in Calvary where His Son suffered for you to make redemption possible (Romans 5:8; Galatians 2:20). So trust in Him, and in His “purpose,” for whatever you are going through.
Lord, thank You for loving us, and for suffering in our place at Calvary. Strengthen us and help us in whatever trials that we are facing or that we will face. Encourage us, and also help others who are suffering. Thank You for the good that You are bringing, even if we don’t see it now. Thanks for hearing us, and for being patient with us when we hurt. We love You. Amen.