말보다 말씀! 빚보다 빛!

[Key Verse]
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”
In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. (Job 1:21–22, NIV)

[Our Story]
These days, most of our seminary classes are held online. There are two main formats: real-time lectures and pre-recorded video lectures. They have one thing in common: there's a test in every session. In live lectures, the professor directly asks questions during the class. For pre-recorded ones, quizzes are embedded into the videos. The students never know when or what the quiz will be—sometimes it's at the beginning, sometimes in the middle, or at the end. Occasionally, it's all three. If a student misses even one quiz, they lose points. While some students grumble, this system remains in place. It's designed to keep students focused from beginning to end. Since the lectures aren’t live, students might be tempted to speed through or skip content. Thankfully, most students have come to appreciate this method. While it was frustrating at first, many now say it helps them stay engaged. Some even find it fun to anticipate and hunt for the quizzes. Tests are always burdensome. But nothing measures a student’s progress or strengthens their skills like a well-designed exam.

[Bible Story]
Job 1–2 is the story of Job’s testing. A wealthy and godly man, Job enjoys God’s favor. Satan comes before God, and surprisingly, God brings up Job unprompted:
“Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8) Satan counters that Job only fears God because he has been richly blessed. So God allows Satan to test Job—stripping him of wealth and children—but forbids him from harming Job physically. Despite this devastating loss, Job does not sin or blame God. He passes the test. But Satan tries again. This time, he afflicts Job’s body with painful sores from head to toe. Even Job’s wife mocks his integrity and urges him to curse God and die. His friends are so shocked by his appearance that they can’t even speak. Yet, Job endures again without sinning. He does not fail the test.

[Your Story]
Are you going through a test right now? Not a school exam, but a life test. If so, be careful not to “fall into” the test. Often, we say we’ve “fallen into testing,” but tests aren’t something to fall into—they are meant to be passed or endured. To fall into a test is to completely miss the purpose of the one who allowed it. It leads not only to self-justification but often to further sin. Today, may you not fall into the test but pass through it in victory. May you grow through it. As the Lord said to Joshua:

“Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you.” (Joshua 10:8)Praying for your strength and victory in the test.

Blessings,
Pastor Hyung Joong Kim
Copyright ⓒ 2025 by Hyung Joong Kim