A Spiritual Guide

Sinless Trials 06.17.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday June 17, 2008 and today we begin our studies on the book of Job. The book of Job is the eighteenth book of the Old Testament, contains fourty-two chapters, and is also the first of 5 books of poetry. The author of the book is unknown and the book is not specifically addressed to anyone, but is applicable to all believers who experience suffering. This book wrestles with the question, “Why do the righteous suffer?” The purpose of the book is to show that there is a spiritual reason behind suffering of the righteous and that suffering is not necessarily evidence of God’s displeasure.

Please read Chapters 1-4 in your Bible or Click Here to read. Cut & paste to browser: biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Job%201-4&version=9

Today we will read and learn about Job’s wealth and godliness, God permitting Satan to afflict Job, and the critical counsel by Job’s wife and friends. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that not all trials we face are due to disobeying God. It is difficult to understand our circumstances or why we must go through a particular trial, but it is then that we must trust in the Lord and not ourselves to get us through them.

Job’s life is a dramatic story of a wealthy, but godly landowner attacked by the devil. “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east.” (Job 1:1-3).”

He was stripped of his family, possessions, reputation, and health. But his suffering was not misfortune or bad luck, nor was it punishment from God for his sins as his friends mistakenly assumed. All of Job’s sufferings were the attacks of Satan, but God allowed them in order to bring Job into a closer relationship with Himself. Behind all the world’s evil is Satan, in his continuous effort to destroy all that is good. But Satan is under the constant surveillance of God and can do nothing without His permission. “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.” (1:8-12).

Satan assumed that, like every self-serving person, Job was faithful only because God would reward him. During his intense suffering and testing, Job’s wife even suggested that he curse God, and die. She too had suffered loss, but it seems that her greatest loss was her faith in God. Job realized he was not the owner of all he possessed, not even of his children, but he was merely the Lord’s manager of things entrusted to his care. From there, it was just one more step of faith for Job to accept that God. Instead of cursing God, Job worshiped Him, “Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.” (2:9-10).

Spiritual victories do not just happen; they are dependent upon one’s faith in God, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17). Apart from the indwelling power of His Spirit and His Word, all efforts to live a victorious Christian life are doomed to failure. To remain faithful in the midst of trials, we must develop a love for God’s Word which creates a confident faith in Him.

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through the conversation between Satan and God Almighty (Job 1:6-12). We can see the meaning of Christ’s statement to Peter that Satan wanted to sift him as wheat (Luke 22:31). It is comforting to know that Satan cannot test us beyond the will of God.

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
I pray for a steadfast heart that does not flicker during times of adversity, acts of injustice, or when evil is visibly prevalent. Draw me to the cleansing fountain of Your saving blood which flows from the cross of Calvary. It is there that springs of living water quench my thirst and invigorate my spirit so that I am refreshed in the Holy Spirit and renewed in my resolve to follow You all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name…..Amen.

Have a great and wonderful day.
God Bless,
Christina

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