Job 1:8 Then the Lord said to Satan, “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.”
Whenever I read the story of Job, especially verse 8 of Job chapter 1, I am amazed at how God boasted about Job to satan. There must have been something really spectacular about this man, that made him stand out for God to talk about him in such a manner.
The thing was that Job knew nothing about Satan’s discussion with God. Neither did Job know what God allowed the devil to do to him. As children of God, we are God’s soldiers in the battle field of good versus evil and sometimes the battle is facing us. Matt 7:24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: 25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.
Satan’s prediction of Job was wrong, which shows that he cannot predict the future as God can. Job did not curse God as Satan expected but instead Job said in Job 1:20 Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said:“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.” 22 In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. By this time, Job had lost his wealth and children, yet he did not blame God. Can we worship God when going through one affliction after the other? Job did.
Jas 1:2-12. 1 Pet 1:3-92
My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces [a]patience.
Satan never gives up, he tempted Jesus three times, Luke 4:13 Now when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from Him until an opportune time. We are most grateful that our Lord Jesus resisted the temptations.
Pain can weaken our resistance and make everything feel and look much worse than it really is. When we are going through personal or emotional pain, it is easy to curse God. What kept Job going was his faith in God and his personal integrity. Times of affliction, trials or pain are the times to remember the miracles that God did for us and to not give up. He who did it then, is the same and will do it again. These are the time to thank Him and focus on His goodness.
If we think that living a Christian life is one without having battles to fight, then our faith is not strong, because our faith will be tested. Paul said so in Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 13 Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness,
During times of intense pain, physically and emotionally, one can forget God’s goodness. Job and also prophet Jeremiah, cursed the day and night they were born but they did not curse God. Job 3:1 After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. Jeremiah 20:14 Cursed be the day in which I was born! Let the day not be blessed in which my mother bore me! These are times to remember God’s goodness and thank Him for what He has done in the past. He who opened a door for you then, will surely do so again after this storm, hold on to God.
As God’s children, we live on His promises for us in the Bible. Anyone who says that a Christian will not go through trials and tribulation is not speaking the truth from the Bible. However Jesus gave us a promise, in John 16:33 These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, have overcome the world.”
Jesus went through his own trials in order to save us and the apostles and disciples of Jesus did too. James 12 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. We are told to have joy in the midst of troubles and afflictions. Let us imitate Job, Job 13:15 Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him.
Prayer points:
Father Lord, give me the strength to go through this storm in the name of Jesus.
Lord, during this tough season, renew a right spirit within me in the name of Jesus.
Lord may I receive double for all my troubles in the name of Jesus.
The paperback version of my books, PRAYER PERSONIFIED & GODLY DECLARATIONS are available for purchase from Amazon and the e-books are available on www.toladehinde.com
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