Life Lessons From the Book of Job

During my life as a Christian I have read through the bible several times. God has always drawn me to His word and I’ve read it cover to cover on average of every 18 months ever since I became a believer during the summer of 1976.
As I recently read through the book of Job I made four general observations that are important life lessons for the believer:
1) When we are tested, we shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:10)
2) Have compassion on fools and those that wrongfully accuse you and pray for them. (Job 42:8)
3) If we are not absolutely sure how to respond to another’s adversity, it is best to wait for the Lord’s direction and to pray prayers of intercession. It is best to keep silent until we have been given an answer by God and only speaking on God’s behalf if and only if God directs us to be his messenger. Elihu waited to speak until Job’s three other friends had finished speaking. He spoke to the best of his knowledge about God’s righteousness, justice, and goodness. Elihu’s mistake was that although he was not nearly the fool Job’s other three friends were, he still did not fully get it right either. Although he was patient enough to let his elders speak first, he did not get God’s permission to speak for Him. However Elihu did not judge Job and therefore was not rebuked by God as his other three friends were. We need to learn to be patient and wait for the Lord’s timing. (Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.) Job’s situation was dire, to say the least, however, we must remember that God always has things in His control.
4) Some of our suffering is a direct result of persecution and has nothing to do with whether we have sinned or not sinned. However, God allows us to be tested by persecution in order to further His kingdom and fulfill His purposes. (Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. James 1:2-5 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.)