Shining Forth As Gold: A Testimony Of Perseverance (Job 23:10)

“ But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10).

It is obvious that in reading through the book of Job, suffering is the central theme. Untold volumes of sermons, studies, and debates have sprung forth over the centuries on why we go through hard times and why God allows it. The blunt answer is that we brought it on ourselves when our ancestors Adam and Eve decided they knew better than the Creator on how to run the creation. This rebellion is ingrained into every human being since then (Genesis 3:1-15; Romans 1:18-32, 3:10-20, 5:12). Let me present the proof. A lot of you reading this are telling yourselves that you are not as “bad” as ———— (fill in the blank with your favorite despot or villain). That thought itself shows that you and I both have the same rebellious attitude. Isaiah 64:6 describes us perfectly when we defend or redeem ourselves through our own efforts.

However, Job is not merely a testimony of hard times, pain, and questions. It is also a moving testimony of unshakable faith in a coming Redeemer who will bring everlasting righteousness and restitution to His people and the creation (Romans 8:23-25; Revelation 21:5) Job knew that deep within his heart, he would be rewarded either in this world or in the beauty of eternity (Job, Chapters 38-42). Almighty God still saves, delivers, and heals people today. He does the possible when there seems to be no answer. The entirety of Holy Scripture is a written testimony of the work of God in the midst of trouble.

God Almighty is the Absolute Sovereign of all things. He has the power and authority to do whatever He wants for His grace and glory. For example, He can choose to deliver us from sickness all at once, or in His own time so as to receive glory and open the eyes of those seeking light. The testimony of brethren who have had prayers quickly answered, encountered the biblically miraculous, witnessed the most deviant of people redeemed by the Lord, and receive instant healing are both inspiring and powerful. Let me pose another question that might help someone praying for a healing, a loved one to give their lives to Jesus, or another issue. Do we have a testimony to share even if we do not receive our answers in a timely fashion as some do? Can we share with a skeptical world the truth of God’s power and authority in terms of perseverance through our trials? My own story is, I believe, a living demonstration of thanking God while undergoing a medical procedure that I would not wish on anyone. At the same time, I pray that my testimony will inspire someone else who is going through a similar valley.

Since 2023, I have been dealing with stage 5 kidney failure, and have gone through a long and difficult series of medical tests, surgeries, and adjusting to life with a tube in my abdomen as part of my daily procedure. I look at the table of bandages, antiseptics, and supplies that I use each day, along with the boxes of dialysis fluid that, quite frankly, keep me alive in the hopes that I will inevitably receive a new kidney. I have a monthly schedule of doctor’s appointments and blood tests that must be followed. I have to keep records of my treatments and supplies. There is a lot to do every day. It gets wearisome and sometimes I want to call everyone involved, have them come get everything, take out the tube, put me on hospice and allow Philippians 3:20 to come to pass. I could have taken that route with the initial diagnosis.

When I was first diagnosed, I was not in the best of shape. Over the years, I had allowed myself to gain weight and unfortunately become slovenly in all areas of my life. That included my spiritual life as well. At my heaviest, I weighed in at around or over 330 pounds, wore size 4x clothing, had a 54” waist that was expanding, and figured that any kind of ministry related work was not going to come my way. I grew spiritually indifferent and played a good game of piety that everyone, including my beloved wife, could see through like glass. Other problems were bringing our marriage to the brink of extinction. The report of my kidney failure could have given me an “easy out” of the world and the personal difficulties that I had. I could have stayed where I was and in the end, leave behind a testimony of failure and skepticism about the goodness and mercy of God. What would I have left in terms of encouragement and compassion towards others going through the same process? I had to make a choice.