Faith Without Explanations

Introduction

In this chapter, we deal with the hardest kind of adversity: the kind that makes no sense. If Joseph’s story was about the “Enemy Without” (betrayal), Job’s story is about the “Silence Above.”

When the “Hedge” Breaks

In our Nigerian Christian experience, we love the “Hedge of Protection.” We pray for it every morning. We believe that if we are faithful in our tithes, our “first fruits,” and our service, God is duty-bound to keep the “devourer” away from our goats, our cars, and our children. We view God’s favor as a spiritual fence.

But what happens when the fence is breached?

What do you do when you are the “best” Christian in your local government—honest in business, faithful in marriage, fervent in prayer—and yet, in one “black week,” everything collapses? The business you spent twenty years building goes under because of a sudden policy change. The child you raised in the way of the Lord falls ill. The “Why?” that screams in your soul is louder than any worship song. In our context, people will start asking, “Job, what is in your cupboard? Confess!” But Job’s story teaches us that sometimes, the greatest trials happen to the greatest saints.

The Naked Truth

“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” — Job 1:21 (NKJV)

Job’s grace was not found in his bank account or his health; it was found in his theology of ownership. He understood something we often forget in our “blessing-obsessed” culture: Everything we have is on loan. Grace gave Job the ability to worship God for who He is, not just for what He provides.

From Restoration to Revelation

We often rush to the end of Job’s story to talk about the “Double Portion”—the new cows and the new children. But that is not the point of the book. The real Grace was what happened in the middle of the ash heap.

• Grace in the Silence: When God didn’t answer Job’s “Why?”, He was giving Job His “Who.”
• The Shift: Grace shifted Job from knowing about God to seeing God. He said, “I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you” (Job 42:5).
• The Lesson: Sometimes God allows the “Hand” of His provision to be withdrawn so that you can finally see the “Face” of the Provider.

The “Big Man” Who Lost It All

I think of Chief Ade, a man known in his community for his philanthropy and his deep faith. In the 2023 economic downturn, his manufacturing firm collapsed. He lost his houses, his luxury cars, and—most painfully—the “respect” of his peers who used to flock to his parlor.

For a year, Chief Ade took the “bus” like everyone else. His “friends” disappeared, claiming he must have “lost his mantle.” But during that year, the Chief started a small Bible study in his humble rented apartment. He told his pastor later: “When I had the millions, I prayed to God. But now that I have nothing, I talk to Him. I realized I was in love with His gifts, but now I am in love with Him.” The grace that sustained Chief Ade in the “bus” was more powerful than the grace that bought him the Mercedes.

3 Steps to Handle “Silent” Adversity

1. Give Yourself Permission to Lament: Grace doesn’t mean you must “fake” a smile. Job cried, he scraped his sores, and he questioned God. God can handle your honesty. Don’t let “religious” people tell you that mourning is a lack of faith.
2. Separate the Giver from the Gift: Take a moment to ask: “If everything I worked for was gone tomorrow, would I still trust God’s character?” If the answer is “I don’t know,” ask for the grace to see His face, not just His hand.
3. Silence the “Comforters”: Job’s friends were his biggest trial. They tried to find “sin” where there was only “testing.” When you are in a Job season, be careful who you listen to. Not every “Christian” advice is word of “God”.

The Prayer of Activation

Lord, I admit that I am confused. I don’t understand why this hedge has broken or why the “Why?” remains unanswered. But like Job, I declare that my Redeemer lives. I refuse to curse You or walk away because of my losses. Give me the grace to see You in the middle of this ash heap. I shift my gaze from what I have lost to who You are. You are enough for me, even in the silence. Amen.