“For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope.”
– Galatians 5:5
 Yesterday, I emphasized that once we experience salvation, a deeper connection with Jesus is available to us through life in the Spirit. My former mentor Dallas Willard shared an interesting progression to this connection from the life of Job. He describes this as three faiths! Job was an obedient, godly man described as the most righteous man on earth. And because of that, Job received God’s blessing in health, life, friendship, and wealth. Job believed he was blessed because of his righteousness or obedience to God. This foundational faith is referred to as the faith of propriety. This often describes a new believer who knows what is right, and God blesses them, as the scripture attests.
In the next season of Job’s life, he experiences events that he cannot fully explain. Suddenly, all of his children die, and he loses everything he owns. He becomes gravely ill, scraping at boils on his skin with shards of clay, crying out to God for help, yet feeling as though nothing is happening. His wife tells him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” In one famous response, Job proclaims, “Though He slay me, yet will I hope in Him.” This type of faith is often referred to as the faith of desperation. Many of us have experienced this kind of desperation, whether due to a sick child, financial struggles with bills, or facing illness. Yet, you still trust God! Friend, Job reaches a breaking point and demands God’s presence, and God responds from a cloud. This radical encounter reveals the entirety of creation, transforming Job’s faith to rely solely on God. This is an incredible mind-bending experience with the Holy Spirit of God and leads to the faith of sufficiency. This profound experience is available to everyone through the Holy Spirit! |
Prayer
Father, thank You for showing me Your presence and revealing Yourself to me.
Reflection
How can you allow your faith to be completely transformed by relying entirely on God?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power online at hourofpower.org/episode.
One Response
The story of Job remains one of the most inspiring stories of faith through the centuries, even though it has been said his story is written in what is probably the oldest book of the Bible. As for what will give me the transformative faith he experienced, I don’t fully know that answer. But I suspect choosing to be patient while the Lord works in my life and in my heart is probably key. And I choosing to surrender to God as sovereign king of all is another key.