Blessed: A Study of Job for the Suffering Saint; Session 4, Parts 1-5: Patient and Steadfast

H.M. Coker

16 Apr, 2026

Blessed: A Study of Job for the Suffering Saint; Session 4, Parts 1-5: Patient and Steadfast

By H. M. Coker

I highly recommend using the printable version of this study, as the formatting is much more user friendly. Click here for the free printable download of Blessed: A Study of Job for the Suffering Saint Session 4.

“As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” James 5:10-11 (ESV)

I endeavor to only share with you the truth of Scripture, but since my words are fallible and can be misunderstood (only God’s Word is infallible), I think this is a good time to remind you that I am not a doctor or behavioral or mental health professional of any kind.  If you are experiencing symptoms of physical, behavioral, or mental illness then use the resources God has provided and seek professional help.  If you ever believe you are a danger to yourself or others, then seek immediate emergency care. 

Session 4, Part 1:

Pray the Word: “Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me, for in you my soul takes refuge; in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge, till the storms of destruction pass by. I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me. He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!” (Psalm 57:1-3).

Hear the Word: James chapter five instructs us to look to the example of those who came before us who were patient in suffering and remained steadfast.  “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast.  You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” (James 5:10-11). 

  1. Read James 5:10-11.  How are Job and the prophets described in this passage?
  2. What does it mean to be patient, steadfast, and blessed? Read the information below to learn what each of these words means in the original Greek.  Then, read James 5:10-11 in multiple translations (I recommend ESV, KJV, CSB, and NASB95) and, in the space provided, write the corresponding English words used in each translation.
  3. Patience: James 5:10a “As an example of suffering and patience.” Greek: makrothumia. Definition: fortitude, longsuffering patience[1].  According to Zodhiates it is “a self-restraint of the mind before it gives room to action or passion.”[2] Other English Translations: _____________________________________
  4. Blessed: James 5:11a “we consider those blessed.” Greek: Makarizo. Definition: According to Zodhiates it means to be “indwelt by God, and thus fully satisfied.”2  Zodhiates goes on to say that the adjective form, makarios, means “to have the kingdom of God within one’s heart because of Christ (Matt. 5:2,11) and as a result to be fully satisfied (Luke 17:21).”2 Other English Translations: _____________________________________
  5. Steadfast: James 5:11a “who remain steadfast.” Greek: Hupomeno. Definition: According to Zodihiates, it means to remain and endure misery, adversity, and persecution in faith.2 Other English Translations: ________________________________
  6. Steadfastness: James 5:11a “You have heard of the steadfastness of Job.” Greek: Hupomone. Definition: As did Hupomeno, “Hupomone” means endurance.  However, according to Zodihiates it goes even further.  It “is associated with hope (1 Thess. 1:3) and refers to the quality that does not surrender to circumstances or succumb under trial.”2 Other English Translations: _____________________________________
  7. Now in your own words (not something I say often, but reframing is a useful tool when applied to the right object), write what each of these words mean.  It is important we understand, as we will be returning to these Greek words in cross-references in this session and in the ones to come. 
  Patience   
  Blessed   
  Steadfast   
  Steadfastness   

Apply the Word: This week’s memory verse is James 1:12. Write it on a sticky note and put it on your refrigerator, lunch box, coffee pot etc. Read the verse three times every time you eat this week. “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12

Session 4, Part 2:

Pray the Word:  Dear Father, “it is you who light my lamp; the LORD my God lightens my darkness” (Psalm 18:28). 

Hear the Word: How was Job patient and steadfast?  In “Session 3” we studied Job’s response to his first wave of suffering as seen in Job chapter one.  Now let’s look at the example given to us in Job chapter two.  Read Job 2:9-10 and answer the questions.

  1. Who is introduced in Job 2:9?
  2. What did she advise? (Job 2:9)
  3. What was Job’s response in Job 2:10?
  4. Let’s take a moment to consider Job’s wife.  In Job’s response to his wife he says, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” (Job 2:10a).  Job’s wife had received with him the good from God—but she had also experienced the loss.  Now she was watching her husband scrape sores from his body with a piece of broken pottery.  God in His sovereignty has only given us this one glimpse into her experience and response.  So, what do we learn from this one glimpse?  In the space below, write what you learn by contrasting the differences between Job and his wife’s response to their suffering.  According to these verses, which one was speaking as a foolish person, and which one was a person of integrity?
  5. Job’s wife asked, “Do you still hold fast your integrity?” (Job 2:9).  What does it mean to “hold fast” to something?  The Hebrew word which is translated “hold fast” in the ESV is “chazaq.”[3]  According to The Complete Word Study Old Testament by Zodhiates, “chazaq” is “a word frequently used to describe battle scenes.”[4]  It means to seize hold of something and to keep it. [2] 
  6. Did Job listen to his wife and curse God?  (Job 2:10b)

Apply the Word: There are so many influences coming to bear in our lives today. “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1). Only one voice proves true every time: the word of the Lord (Psalm 18:30, John 17:17). Continue to study the Bible so that you can distinguish truth from error, wisdom from foolishness. In Psalm 18 David said, “For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. For all his rules were before me, and his statutes I did not put away from me” (Psalm 18:21-22). When you are tempted to sin, follow Job’s example– if sinners entice you, do not consent (Proverbs 1:10), but rather obey the true wisdom of Scripture. Hold fast your integrity, be patient, be steadfast, endure (Job 2:9, James 5:10-11, 2 Timothy 4:5)! Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, and be constant in prayer (Romans 12:12). God’s way is perfect, his word proves true, and he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him (Psalm18:30). 

Session 4, Part 3:

Pray the Word: “I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!” (Psalm 57:9-11).

Hear the Word: In Job 2:10 Job says, “Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?”  This passage can be confusing, if not downright disturbing, if you don’t understand it.  It is important that you do understand it, so that you have a firm grasp on the sovereignty and goodness of our God.

  1. First let’s make sure we all understand what this verse does not mean.  Read the following passages and take notes on the absolute truth which you learn.  Psalms 92:15, Psalm 145:17, Psalm 5:4, 1 John 1:5
  2. Scripture will never contradict Scripture. So, what does Job 2:10, “shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil” mean?  Read the following verses and take notes on what you learn. Isaiah 45:5-7, Proverbs 16:4, Romans 8:28-30
  3. Briefly summarize what you have learned in correlation to Job 2:10.

Apply the Word: Continue listening to your uplifting, Biblically grounded music every day.  Below are a few more songs so consider adding to your playlist.  Disclaimer: these artists are in no way affiliated with nor have they endorsed this study.

  1. “I Run to Christ” Performed by Hymns of Grace. From the Album “Hymnology Season 2.” Composer Chris Anderson and Grep Habegger“
  2. The Perfect Wisdom of Our God” Performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty, Composer Keith Getty and Stuart Townend, 2012 Getty Music Label
  3. “Sovereign Ruler of the Skies” Performed by Keith and Kristyn Getty and the Foto Sisters. Composer Lyricist Katelyn Foto Berry and Gaylyn Foto. 2023 Getty Music Label

Session 4, Part 4:

Pray the Word: “I love you, O LORD, my strength.  The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.  I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised, and I am saved from my enemies” (Psalm 18:1-3).

Hear the Word:  As we read in “Part 1,” James chapter five tells us to look to the example of those who came before us who were patient in suffering and remained steadfast.  “As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast” (James 5:10:11a).  Having thoroughly sifted Job’s response to suffering, let’s continue in obedience to the instruction in James by looking at two other Old Testament examples of steadfast suffering.  First, we will look at the example of Joseph.

  1. Read the following sections of Genesis which highlight the events of Joseph’s life.  After each section write a quick summary of events.  (Alternatively, you could also cozy up with a cup of tea and read Genesis 37-50.) Genesis 37:23-28, Genesis 39:1-23, Genesis 40:20-23, Genesis 41:14-16, Genesis 41:37-41, Genesis 45:4-11, Genesis 50:15-21
  2. What did Jospeh suffer?
  3. At whose physical hands did Jospeh suffer?  Were these strangers, friends, family?
  4. What did Joseph do? What did Joseph not do?  Be very careful; do not add to Scripture.  Forget any media adaptation of Joseph’s life which you may have seen.  Only account that which we know is true, because the Word tells us so. 

Apply the Word: “Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope” Romans 15:4).    How does Scripture’s account of Joseph encourage you to endure in your season of suffering? 

Session 4, Part 5:

Pray the Word: Lord, you are a righteous judge (Psalm 7:11) and your word is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from your sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (Hebrews 4:12-13)

Hear the Word: Let’s look at one more Old Testament example.  Read the account of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in Daniel 3:8-30, and then answer the questions

  1. What were Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego being asked to do?  What pressures were brought to bear?
  2. Did they comply?
  3. What was their response?  Write Daniel 3:17-18 in the space provided.

Apply the Word: Remember that what was written in former days was written for our instruction that we might have hope (Romans 15:4).  The Old Testament is filled with testimonies of faith in suffering (Hebrews 11:4-38). “These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth” (Hebrews 11:13). What flame of hope does this fan in your own life.  As you consider this and write your answer in the space below, remember that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1).  “The things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18b).  Therefore, look beyond the things you currently see and do not lose heart (2 Corinthians 4:16,18).  “For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:17).  Blessed are we who remain steadfast under trial, for when we have stood the test we will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him (James 1:12)

If you have never read the Old Testament, I encourage you to begin by using Hebrews 11:4-38 as an outline for some nightly reading.  Remember, these things were written that you might have hope (Romans 15:4).  So, may the God of hope himself fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope (Romans 15:13). 

We’ve only just begun to savor the riches of the Word regarding patience and steadfastness.  “Session 4” is a longer session, so I have broken it up and included here only Parts 1-5.  Lord willing, I will be releasing “Session 4: Steadfast Suffering Parts 6-10” in the next two weeks.  This should give you plenty of time to savor each assignment without feeling pressured to rush or skip.  I continue to pray for each of you.

I would love to know you are doing the study!  Send me an email by going to the contact page of www.Surpassing-Worth.com.  If this study has blessed your life, please share it with a friend. 

Copyright © 2026 H. M. Coker

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

[1] Daily Bible Apps. “KJV Bible with Strong’s.” Google Play Store, (2022). (accessed on 11 April 2026).

[2] Zodhiates, Spiros. The Complete Word Study New Testament: Bringing the Original Text to Life (AMG Publishers, 1991), 761, 933, 934, 963, 964.

[3] Daily Bible Apps. “KJV Bible with Strong’s.” Google Play Store, (2022). (accessed on 10 April 2026).

[4] Zodhiates, Spiros. Complete Word Study Old Testament: KJV Edition (AMG Publishers, 1994), 2314.