The Power of Hope: 7 Days to Hoping in the LordSample

The Hope of Restoration | Job

Satan made sure that Job suffered greatly, and Job’s human friends made the situation worse. Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar did well— until they opened their mouths. Their silent presence with Job after his crushing losses was comforting and helpful. When they spoke, their words were not truthful and therefore not helpful— as God let them know. 

Job had been humbled first by his loss and then by questions God asked him that pointed finite Job to God’s infinite greatness. Repenting of his pride, Job asked God’s forgiveness, and afterward, as God had instructed, prayed for his friends. Then we read, “The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his
beginning” (Job 42:12). More important than the material restoration, though, was Job’s restored relationship with God. 

We find hope in Job’s story: God restores the years we feel like we’ve lost, “years that the swarming locust has eaten” (Joel 2:25).