Faithfulness through Trial and Trust in God’s Covenant!
Sermon October 6, 2024
Job 1:1; 2:1-10; Mark 10:2-16
Title: Faithfulness through Trial and Trust in God’s Covenant!
Pastor Fred Okello
Today's readings lead us to the intersection of suffering, faithfulness, and purity. Job is an example of unwavering faith that has been tried beyond our imagination. His account contrasts with Jesus' teachings in Mark, in which Jesus redefines righteousness and emphasizes children's purity and innocence. These scriptures teach us how to respond to pain with integrity and approach God with a childlike spirit.
Consider a potter sculpting a clay vessel. The potter envisions a beautiful vessel that is both visually appealing and sturdy enough to withstand the hardest conditions. He presses and kneads the clay as he forms it, eradicating any air pockets or defects. The pot is then placed in the kiln, where it is exposed to high temperatures. This technique is not intended to destroy the pot, but rather to strengthen it and allow it to serve its purpose.
In Job 1:1, we meet a guy who is “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.” Job’s faithfulness is clear, and his life reveals God’s meticulous sculpting. But when the furnace of suffering strikes—when Job loses his money, children, and health—his faith is tested to the extreme. Satan questions God, arguing that Job’s faithfulness is contingent on his rewards. God, knowing Job’s honesty, enables Satan to test him but limits his ability to do so.
Even when Job’s wife begs him to “curse God and die,” Job says, “Shall we receive the good from God and not the bad?” (Job 2:10). He maintains his faith and refuses to curse or question God’s sovereignty. Job’s affliction was like a vessel in the kiln—heated not to be destroyed, but to be improved. Though Job didn’t understand why he was subjected to such severe tribulations, he trusted the Potter’s intentions. Following the testing, his integrity shined even brighter, offering as an example for us to trust God in our own challenges.
In Mark 10:2-12, the Pharisees put Jesus to the test by asking if a man can divorce his wife legally. Jesus turns their attention to God’s initial plan for marriage: “From the beginning of creation, God formed them male and female. Therefore, a man will leave his father and mother and hold tight to his wife, and the two will become one flesh” (Mark 10:6-8).
Jesus reminds them that marriage is a relationship instituted by God, not a contract to be broken on a whim. Just as Job’s dedication to God remained unshakable in the face of adversity, we are supposed to be firm in our relationships, reflecting God’s constancy. God’s plan for marriage is a lifelong bond, similar to how a potter sees the clay. We are to honor and protect it, believing that God’s ways are greater and that He is shaping us via our relationships.
People bring youngsters to Jesus, but the disciples chastise them (Mark 10:13-16). Jesus, on the other hand, welcomes them, saying, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God.” Truly, I tell you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God as a child will not enter it” (Mark 10:14-15).
Children’s hearts are sculpted by their trust and innocence. Jesus emphasizes their cleanliness as an example of how we should approach God: without pretense or self-righteousness, but with simple, trusting faith.
Some of you today may feel as if you’re in a kiln of pain—whether from long-term illness, the loss of loved ones, or the damage caused by tornadoes and storms sweeping the southeastern United States. You may be asking, “Why, Lord?” “Why am I being so severely tested?” You may even feel as if the heat is too intense to handle and your faith is eroding.
I want to tell you that God is still holding you. The Potter did not abandon you and he hasn’t abandoned you in the kiln. He knows how much heat you can take, and He will not break you. What you are going through is not going to destroy you, but rather strengthen you. Though we may not realize it right now, God is refining us, sculpting us to reflect His glory even brighter. Hold on to hope, for God is trustworthy.
God will bring restoration in His perfect timing, just as He restored Job. Our tears, pain, and suffering are noticed by the One who created us. He will make beauty out of ashes, and His love will radiate through your sorrow.
As a Christian community, we are called to rise up and serve as lights of hope, love, and peace to those in need. When tragedies hit, illness consumes life, and grief overwhelms, we must respond with open arms and compassionate hearts, offering prayers, support, and tangible relief.
Let us welcome those who are hurting into our lives, embracing them with Christ's love. Be Jesus’ Hands and Feet. Be a concrete reminder of God’s care and compassion by volunteering, helping those in need, or simply being present with someone in their sadness. Speak words of life and encouragement. Be an encourager, a companion, and a source of strength for individuals who feel trapped in the flames. Sometimes just knowing that someone is praying for them can alleviate even the most difficult challenges.
May we be vessels of honor, capable of withstanding whatever challenges come our way. May we provide love and compassion to those in need, serving as lights of hope and peace. And may we be like children, receiving God’s kingdom with open hearts and trusting in His loving hands. Amen.