An Edifying Moment

Job chapter 1:6-8

Here was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and satan came also among them. And the Lord said unto satan, whence comest thou? Then satan answered the Lord, and said, from going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. 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?

As you look into the rear view mirror of your life, you may recall the boulders of troubles, challenges and perplexities that had fallen into your path. Yet, if you trusted God through those tumultuous times as you take the glance back, you will notice that it is so much clearer now. Why? Because God has worked some things out for your good.

I am intrigued about the life of Job and his suffering; I don’t wish that on anyone. But the fact the God is the one that initiated the whole thing blows me away. I guess I would understand the situation better if satan had initiated things; but it was not like that. After all, it was Peter that said be sober and vigilant for your adversary is roaring about seeking whom he may devour. That’s the devil’s M.O. – modus operandi, method of operation! One might have felt better if God would have afflicted Job. God is the one who brought up Job, raising this question - have you considered my servant – Job?

Job chapter 1:9-10 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.” Job is marked by: great faithfulness, family, godly family, great fortune, he and his wife were getting along and the children were doing well. God knew the heart of Job. He knew that Job would not betray Him or his faith in God. It is a blessing for God to bring your name up before the devil – that means he can trust you!

It is when you are in trouble that you should become closer to God. You don’t take a break from the Lord when you’re in trouble. It is when you are in pain also that you should be drawn to God. Trouble should not drive you from God it should draw you to Him. God can take the trouble that he has entrusted you with and mature you. Trouble gives God the opportunity to show up in your life and bless you in ways that you never imagined.

You have to deal with the hand that God allows you to have. If life gives you a lemon – make lemonade! Stop complaining! The one thing that the devil and the enemy want to see – is you quit! They never want you to reach your fullest potential in life or in God! Hand around and see what the end is going to be. Job, my good friend, is my example of handling trouble. The Job we saw: lost his family, fortune and his fitness – all to satanic forces.

When the attack comes upon you, you must put on the whole armour of God! When your troubles are activated – you have the Bible. We have to remember that troubles are allowed by a sovereign father. God has allowed satan to do what he is doing. But God will show up with His promises to stay the hand of the enemy and bless you real good in His set time.

This is how you can tell if God is behind it – after you go through your litany of rebuking the devil – and you still have trouble, then you are in the middle of a test. If it is just a temptation of the devil then you can go thru the litany. Here is what you must remind yourself of - somewhere in this picture God has given me the strength to handle whatever it is that I must bear.

In the words of Paul – ‘there is no temptation, no trial taken you, for such is common to man - but God is faithful. Who will not test you to be tempted, tried and tested above from whom you are able? The same test – He will always make a way of escape.’ It seems unbearable but it is not. Flesh would say that this is unbearable but that is not what the spirit of God is saying. The spirit of God is saying that He knows just how much you can bear and He won’t allow more in your life than you can handle.

You really don’t know how strong you are until you find yourself in the mix of crucial trials, troubles and tribulations. The Word of God is quick and powerful; sharper than any two edged sword. Every time you go to church and sit under the Word of God, and every time you hear the Word of God it gets into your spirit and your inner-being. It strengthens you and nourishes you and you don’t even know it. The nourishment sustains you in the midst of the trouble. So cover yourself in the armor and pull the Word about you. As mama and grandma-n-em used to say – ‘trouble don’t last always.