Question
Gramps,
My married daughter has lost her testimony. I have a handout on evidences of feelings of the Holy Ghost and feelings you have when you don’t have the spirit. It was hanging on my fridge. Today I noticed a footnote she put there. It said, “We don’t always have the spirit, even when we are worthy.” Then she quoted Job 23:8-10. I understand that God knew Job well enough that in Job 1:12 “he said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power” He knew Job’s character and commitment to Him and He had no doubt that nothing would halt Job’s faith. I know that Job is a special case and that even in trials, we have the gift of the Holy Ghost if we ask for it. Did Job have the gift of the Holy Ghost? How can I answer my daughter’s questioning in this matter?
Launa
Answer
Dear Launa,
I think that perhaps you are both right. A person worthy to have the Spirit, i.e., the influence of the Holy Ghost, may not have that Spirit with him when it is not needed. And you are certainly correct in your assumption that Job DID have the gift of the Holy Ghost. It was through that gift that he had the power to stay true and faithful to the Lord, even in the midst of tremendous heart ache and suffering.
Gramps