God is in control. (Job 21:22)

Job 21:22

New International Version (NIV)

 

 

 

²² “Can anyone teach knowledge to God,
    since he judges even the highest?

 

 

 

 

Although baffled by the reasons for his suffering, Job affirmed God's superior understanding by asking, "Can anyone teach knowledge to God?" The way you respond to your personal struggles shows your attitude toward God. Rather than becoming angry with God, continue to trust Him, no matter what your circumstances may be. Although it is sometimes difficult to see, God is in control. We must commit ourselves to Him so we will not resent His timing.

 

 

 

 

Joe

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trust Him during the difficult times. (Job 6:8-9)

Job 6:8-9

New Living Translation (NLT)


 

⁸ “Oh, that I might have my request,
    that God would grant my desire.
⁹ I wish he would crush me.
    I wish he would reach out his hand and kill me.




In his grief, Job wanted to give in, to be freed from his discomfort, and to die. But God did not grant Job's request. He had a greater plan for him. Our tendency, like Job's, is to want to give up and get out when the going gets rough. To trust God in the good times is commendable, but to trust Him during the difficult times tests us to our limits and exercises our faith. In your struggles large or small, trust that God is in control and that He will take care of you (see Romans 8:28 below).
 

Romans 8:28

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

²⁸ And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.




Joe








 

Good times & Bad times... (Job 2:10)

Job 2:10

The Message (MSG)

 

 

 

¹⁰ He told her, “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?”
Not once through all this did Job sin. He said nothing against God.




Many people think that believing in God protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God's goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God because He allows you to have bad experiences. Faith in God does not guarantee personal prosperity, and lack of faith does not guarantee troubles in this life. If this were so, people would believe in God simply to get rich. God is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but He may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is Satan's strategy to get us to doubt God at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking His own personal comfort. If we always knew why we were suffering, our faith would have no room to grow.




 
Joe




























 

How deep are your roots? (Job 1:9-10)

Job 1:9-10

The Message (MSG)

 

 

 

^9-10 Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose!



Satan attacked Job's motives, saying that Job was blameless and upright only because he had no reason to turn against God. Ever since he started following God, everything had gone well for Job. Satan wanted to prove that Job worshiped God, not out of love, but because God had given him so much.

Satan accurately analyzed why many people trust God. They are fair-weather believers, following God only when everything is going well or for what they can get. Adversity destroys this superficial faith. But adversity strengthens real faith by causing believers to dig their roots deeper into God in order to withstand the storms. How deep does your faith go? Put the roots of your faith down deep into God so that you can withstand any storm you may face.



 
Joe




















 

Why Me? or Use Me ! ? (Job 1:8 &12)

Job 1:8 &12

The Message (MSG)

 

 

 

⁸ God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.”

<sup>...

12</sup> God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of God.



Job was a model of trust and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in a harsh manner. Although God loves us, believing and obeying Him do not shelter us from life's calamities. Setbacks, tragedies, and sorrows strike Christians and non-Christians alike. But in our tests and trials, God expects us to express our faith to the world. How do you respond to your troubles? Do you ask God, "Why me?" or do you say, "Use Me!"?



Joe




















 

God is greater than Satan (Job 1:6-12)

Job 1:6-12

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

Job’s First Test

⁶ One day the members of the heavenly court came to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. ⁷ “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”
⁸ Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.”
⁹ Satan replied to the Lord, “Yes, but Job has good reason to fear God. ¹⁰ You have always put a wall of protection around him and his home and his property. You have made him prosper in everything he does. Look how rich he is! ¹¹ But reach out and take away everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face!”
¹² “All right, you may test him,” the Lord said to Satan. “Do whatever you want with everything he possesses, but don’t harm him physically.” So Satan left the Lord’s presence.




From this conversation, we learn a great deal about Satan. 1.) He is accountable to God. All angelic beings, good and evil, are compelled to present themselves before God (1:6), God knew that Satan was intent on attacking Job. 2.) Satan can be at only one place at a time (1:6-7). His demons aid him in his work; but as a created being, he is limited. 3.) Satan cannot see into our minds or foretell the future (1:9-11). If he could, he would have known that Job would not break under pressure. 4.) Because Satan could do nothing without God's permission (1:12), God's people can overcome his attacks through God's power. 5.) God puts limitations on what Satan can do (1:12). Satan's response to the Lord's question (1:7) tells us that Satan is real and active on earth. Knowing this about Satan should cause us to remain close to the One who is greater than Satan - God Himself.



 
Joe


























 

Doing what is right will not make you popular. (Esther 3:2)

Esther 3:2

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

² All the king’s officials would bow down before Haman to show him respect whenever he passed by, for so the king had commanded. But Mordecai refused to bow down or show him respect.



Mordecai's determination came from his faith in God. He did not take a poll first to determine the safest or most popular course of action; he had the courage to stand alone. Doing what is right will not always make you popular. Those who do right will be in the minority, but to obey God is more important than to obey people (see Acts 5:29 below).

Acts 5:29

New Living Translation (NLT)

 

 

²⁹ But Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.



Joe