A Spiritual Guide

Facing Criticism 06.24.08

Hello My Friend/Guest,

It is Tuesday June 24, 2008 and today we are continuing our studies on the book of Job. Please read Chapters 30-33 in your Bible or Click Here to read.
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Today we will read and learn about Job’s proclamation of his integrity and Elihu’s accusations. Today’s message focuses on the importance of realizing that our world today scorns truth and often criticizes those who live by it, but without truth it is impossible to make an impact.

As if the shocking death of his ten children, loss of all his property, his personal suffering from a most painful disease, his being made the object of contempt by his wife and of suspicion and reproach by his friends had not been enough, Job was subjected to the humiliation and insult by those who walked by and spit on him. “They abhor me, they flee far from me, and spare not to spit in my face. Because he hath loosed my cord, and afflicted me, they have also let loose the bridle before me. Upon my right hand rise the youth; they push away my feet, and they raise up against me the ways of their destruction.” (Job 30:10-12). He probably was still sitting among the ashes, covered from head to foot with painful boils.

It would appear that Satan had instigated all the powers of wickedness against him. Job expressed his pitiful loneliness, “Terrors are turned upon me: they pursue my soul as the wind: and my welfare passeth away as a cloud. And now my soul is poured out upon me; the days of affliction have taken hold upon me.…..He hath cast me into the mire, and I am become like dust and ashes. I cry unto thee, and thou dost not hear me: I stand up, and thou regardest me not.“ (30:15-16, 19-20).

One of the most difficult trials for a Christian is to pray, and continue praying, without any apparent sign that God has heard. But the effectiveness of our prayers cannot be judged by immediate results. There are many reasons for delay. Sometimes God does not grant our request because He will provide something better. At other times, He withholds material benefits in order to impart spiritual understanding. The very fact that our requests are sometimes granted and sometimes denied is proof in itself that we are cared for by a God of love whose ways are governed by His wisdom and always for our best.

In chapter 31 he listed 12 common sins that no one could accuse him of committing. Yet, in his time of need, no one showed compassion or expressed a kind word to him. For Job, there seemed to be no end to the cruelty of the people who made his suffering even more painful and miserable. Not one of his friends showed him any comfort only criticizm and accusations. 

At such times our faith is put to the test, for we are to walk by faith and are not to be dependent upon the things that are seen. We are to trust the Lord and the promises of His Word. Faith does not originate with us, but it is a gift from God. “Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.” (II Corinthians 5:6-8).

Job’s three friends mistakenly judged his relationship to God, but he did not allow them to destroy his faith. As we consider Job, whom God declared the most perfect man on earth should we be surprised when we are falsely criticized? The most devoted Christian often suffers the worst indignities and humiliation from thoughtless, inconsiderate people, even from some who profess to be Christians. The Apostle Paul encouraged all of us when he was led to write, “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth; So that we ourselves glory in you in the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that ye endure: Which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer:” (II Thessalonians 1:3-5).

In today’s reading Jesus Christ is revealed through  the ridicule and affliction which Job suffered (Job 30:10-11). Christ was afflicted and spat upon. After Pilate delivered Jesus to the Roman soldiers, they flogged Him, hit Him with a stick and spit on Him and then they crucified Him (Mark 15:15-20).

Today’s Prayer:
Dear Lord,
As we live in the Light of Your Word the devil’s venomous plots are exposed. We are not caught by surprise, but rather we are filled with Your Spirit which prepares us to be on the offense rather than the defense. We walk in truth and confidence as we stand strong on the day of evil. As we wear the full armor You have provided, for our protection, we can fight against the devil’s evil tricks.  Our fight is not against flesh and blood but against the powers of this world’s darkness and the spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly world. So we pray in the spirit continuously asking for Your discernment strength, and guidance.  We also pray for our brothers and sisters that together we will stand firm against the enemy of our souls. In Jesus’ name…..Amen

Have a wonderful day!
God Bless,
Christina

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