10.16.24 - the book of job
Good morning ,
I just wrapped up reading through the Gospels and now I'm on to the book of Job. I wanted to share with you two things that stuck out to me that I hope can give you some perspective on the troubles of life. Job is a great example of experiencing the troubles of life and still choosing God.
The first thing I want you to know is that God has dominion. He gives authority. And God is all knowing. There is nothing that he "finds" out. There is nothing that you can try to hide from him.
In Job Chapter 1 Satan makes the assumption that the only reason Job is blameless is because of how blessed he is, and if it all was taken from him, he would curse God. God tells him he can take it all from Job but don't lay a finger on his physical being. Satan wastes no time in destroying everything Job has and Job does not curse God. Instead, Job says in Job 1:21 that the Lord gives and the Lord takes and may the name of the Lord be praised. Wow! Satan goes on to make the excuse that Job would curse God if he struck his flesh. God allows Satan to inflict Job with physical pain and sores, but he must spare his life. Satan does this and Job still does not curse God.
I used to wonder why God allowed this to happen to Job. He was just living his life and then boom - his life is completely dismantled because Satan is trying to prove a point. What I realized today is God already knew the outcome of this story. He knew even though Job lost everything he would not curse God. God knows our heart. He allows suffering and while we don't always understand it does have a purpose - to produce perseverance.
Romans 5:3-4 tells us: 3Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4perseverance, character; and character, hope.
This is extremely difficult for us to wrap our minds around especially in times of deep suffering, but ultimately suffering produces more hope in Jesus Christ.
The second thing that I want to share is something Job said back to his wife after she told him to curse God and die. In Job 2:10: He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.
How often do we praise God when we receive a blessing or life is good? We want everyone to know how good God is and how good we are doing. But what about when trouble comes? Are we having that same praise? The truth of the matter is sometimes I don't. I can start to complain. Fear, doubt and worry can set in and I can begin to get stuck in my circumstance instead of rejoicing that God is still my source of life. This response from Job may seem harsh, calling his wife foolish, but the Bible says he did not sin.
It's important to have discernment and know truth. And speak the truth, regardless of what people want to hear or culture wants you to believe. Sure he could have said it a little more respectful but he said what he said and it was not counted a sin. It was convicting to me because sometimes I feel like we only want God when it's beneficial for us. We don't want the persecution or the "feeling left out" for being a follower of Christ. We have to be willing to accept the good and the trouble that comes with life. The beautiful thing is that God is there with us through it all.
I can't wait to continue reading Job and I encourage you to go back and read what I wrote. Don't ever just take my word for it. Go read it for yourself and see what the Holy Spirit reveals to you.
I appreciate you being a part of my community. It's always more than skin care :)
If this email has helped you please share it with someone you know.
Love,
Danielle
naturallycreated4you.com
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