In Job, chapter six, verse ten, in all his suffering, Job’s consolation was that he did not turn from his Lord, nor did he conceal (deny) God’s words. Unaware of conscious or accidental sins, he affirmed his innocence throughout the book in chapters sixteen, verse seven, and twenty-seven, verse six, respectively, convinced that he had always sought to honor and obey God. Therefore, Job could rejoice, even in his pain.
Job had desired death as the happy end of his miseries. However, Eliphaz had reproved him, but he asked for it again with more intensity than before. It was very rash to speak thus of God destroying him. Who, for one hour, could endure the wrath of the Almighty if he let loose his hand against him? Let us rather say with David, O spare me a little. Job grounds his comfort upon the testimony of his conscience that he had been, in some degree, serviceable to the glory of God. Those who have grace in them, who have the evidence of it, and have it in exercise, have wisdom in them, which will be their help in the worst of times.
Job has openly and boldly maintained a profession of attachment to the cause of God and his truth. In Job’s reply, in a public and solemn manner, he professed attachment to his Maker. He did not refuse to acknowledge that he was God’s servant. Job has not been ashamed of the Lord and His cause. How much consolation may we find in such a reflection when we reach our end?
If there has been a consistent profession of religion, or if there has been no shrinking back from attachment to God, if in all circles, high and low, rich and poor, or silly, serious, there has been an unwavering and steady, though not ostentatious, attachment to the cause of God, it will give unspeakable consolation and confidence when our time is up here on earth. If there has been concealment and shame and shrinking back from a profession of religion, there will be shame, regret, and sorrow.