Until recently, I could not relate to or understand unsparing, unrelenting pain. 
  There are many people living 24/7 with pain – pain which has a cause and can only be controlled by drugs and/or diet.

  Job was a man who lived in the far distant past.  He was a righteous man who believed in God and worshiped Him, alone. 
  Job was an extremely wealthy man with a wife and 10 children.

  Behind the scenes ~ Job 1:8-11
  Unknown to Job was a scene in heaven between God and Satan.  The Lord God talked to Satan, saying, “Have you considered My servant Job?  For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” 
  Satan asked God, “Does Job fear You for no reason?” 
  Satan continued, ‘You have protected Job and all that he has, You have blessed him in every area of his life.  If You touch all that he has, I think he will curse You to Your face.’
   Surprisingly God said, ‘Do what you can Satan but don’t harm Job.’ 

God gave Satan permission to wreak havoc in Job’s life
and Job was blameless.

  Results of Satan’s work ~ Job 1:14-19
  One day a messenger came to unsuspecting Job and reported, Your 500 yoke of oxen and 500 female donkey’s were taken by a raid and all the servants killed, but I escaped.
  Before the messenger finished, another servant arrived.  Your 7,000 sheep and servants were engulfed in fire and killed, but I escaped.
  Then another messenger came: Your 3,000 camels were taken by (Babylonian) Chaldeans and they killed your servants except I escaped.
  Before the messenger finished reporting, another arrived to tell Job of the death of his 10 children, killed by a great wind as they were together in the same house.

  How Job reacted ~Job 1:20
  He stood up, shaved his head, fell to the ground and worshiped God.  Job did not sin or blame God for the loss of his wealth or his children. 

How do you react when your life is turned upside down?

  Behind the scenes ~ Job 2:1-6
  Satan stood before God, again, and God asked Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job?”  ‘No matter what you did, he will hold fast to faith in Me.’
  Satan responded, ‘Sure, but if You let him physically suffer, he will curse You to Your face.’
  God replied, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.”

  Job’s affliction ~ Job 2:7-11
  Job was given boils from the bottom of his feet to the top of his head.
  Job was mourning for his children and possibly his wealth.

  Job’s three friends ~ Job 2:12 – 37:4
  Each of Job’s friends blamed Job for his troubles. 
  Friends should speak truth, but they also should provide comfort.

  Job’s assurance ~ Job 19:25-27
  “As for me, I know that my Redeemer lives,
And at the last He will take His stand on the earth|26 ‘Even after my skin is destroyed,
Yet from my flesh I shall see God;
27 Whom I myself shall behold,
And whom my eyes will see and not another.”

Follower of Christ do you have that kind of faith in the living God?

  God’s intervention ~ Job 38:1-41:34
  God speaks only to Job and proclaims Himself the Creator – of everything!

  Reader, if possible read those chapters where God confronts Job, you will have a greater understanding of God!

  Results for Job ~ Job 42:1-17
  Like Job, pray for your “friends” who are not comforting you.  For God will restore to Himself  as He did Job’s three friends.
  Like Job, trust the Lord for His perfect ways.  The Lord God doubled Job’s wealth and gave him 10 more children.

 Think about this!

Never underestimate God.
Do not assume anything because of your circumstances,
you don’t know the scene in heaven.

Categories: Think about this!