Job 42:7-17 There is a principle to glean from these last verses in the book of Job: faithfulness is rewarded. It may not be in this life, but God remembers, and He rewards. Remember what God told Satan at the beginning? Job was righteous, and now He will affirm that statement.

Sometimes God rewards or blesses now but not always. Remember Lazarus, the poor man at the rich man’s gate? [Luke 16:19-31] He was not rewarded in this life but in his afterlife. The point is that God is looking for faithful people to be a part of His grand plan. Many years later, Jeremiah would write God’s words to the Israelites as they were in captivity. “I know the plans I have for you.” [Jer 29:11] Like them, God has a plan for you and me, yet “At present we do not yet see all things under His control.” [Heb 2:8] He has a plan that is superior to ours. [Is 55:9] And trials and testing prove our faithfulness. The lesson from Job is to trust God. He will reward us either here or in the afterlife. Remember this principle: “The Lord looks down from heaven at the human race to see if there is anyone who is wise and seeks God.” [Ps 14:2] When God looked, He saw Job, a man who feared God. How about us?