The Glory in Suffering: Part 2
𝐹𝓇𝒾𝒹𝒶𝓎'𝓈 𝒫𝓇𝒶𝓎𝑒𝓇: 2/01/𝟤𝟢𝟤𝟣
𝒮𝒸𝓇𝒾𝓅𝓉𝓊𝓇𝑒: Job 38-42 / James 1:2 / Isaiah 55:8
𝒯𝑜𝓅𝒾𝒸: The Glory in Suffering: Part 2
𝒢𝑜𝑜𝒹 𝒜𝒻𝓉𝑒𝓇𝓃𝑜𝑜𝓃 𝓉𝑜 𝒴𝑜𝓊,
Returning back to the subject of Suffering as witnessed by the influential Job, I want to use Part 2 to discuss restoration after suffering. We reviewed in Part 1 the picture of Job's family, his possessions, and livestock. Additionally, Job's physical health went under fire with boils, rotting flesh, an upset wife and he still remained faithful.
In Part 1 of this entry, we saw that God allowed direct testing of Job through Satan. And through the loss of his children. the loss of thousands of animals (sheep, oxen, and camels), a massive loss of wealth, Job remained faithful. The point of Job's suffering is to highlight God's sovereignty and grace during our suffering.
Satan's intent for this mission was to prove to God that Job would turn against Him. Satan thought Job would curse God. Satan thought Job would lose his faith and hope. Satan thought Job's faith was weaker than expected. However, Job did not give up on God. Satan's mission failed. Was Job sad? Yes. Was Job depressed momentarily? Yes. Was Job hurt? Yes. Did Job suffer temporarily? Yes. But Job never stopped believing in our most Sovereign God.
In the trials of your individualized lives you will suffer tribulation. You will suffer hurt and pain. You will suffer the loss of loved ones. You will experience unexpected loss. You may potentially lose everything. But during Job's suffering, God never left him, and God will never leave you. God is right here in the midst of it all. He sees every tear and He hears the cries of your broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17).
James 1:2 says, "Count it all Joy my brothers when you go through trials, for you know the testing of your faith produces steadfastness"! What does that mean Monica? I'm glad you asked! The word count means to examine. James is admonishing us to look at our sufferings through a different lens. Through a different view. A more positive view such as the glass being "half full".
James is saying you can smile knowing God is right in the fire with us. As Christians, and especially as Christians, don't be shocked by the testing. The closer your relationship to God and after accepting Christ, the enemy most definitely wants you distracted. But faint not, testing is part of the lives we lead as forerunners of the Body of Christ. Job shows us that we are not exempt just because of relationship with God. There are actually high beam lights on us to make our suffering stand out the more.
Start rejoicing at the onset of tribulation! God handpicked Job for this mission! God asked Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job"? God sees His faithful and trusting sons and daughters. Take this time to use the darkest opportunities and harshest experiences to mature in Christ. Will it hurt? Yes. Will you cry some days? Most definitely. But you're not alone. Your testing is disciplining you for greater testimony in the future.
God declares through scripture that Job's friends spoke without knowledge. Were they smart men? Yes they were. But were they wrong in their speeches to Job? Yes it was. Don't listen to everyone in your testing. There are some trials that the smartest of humans can't fathom.
God simply tells Job that we will never comprehend what God is doing in our lives. Scripture says in Isaiah 55:8, "My thoughts are not your thoughts and neither are your ways my ways, says the Lord".
In your most difficult seasons, trust God. In your most painful moments in life, trust God. In your darkest hours, trust God. At your most vulnerable and seemingly hopeless minutes, trust God. Don't you dare pull that trigger! Don't put a period where God placed a comma or semicolon. Trust God and let Him perform one of the greatest works in your life. Pass this test and get to the next level.
In the end, we find in chapters 38-42 in the book of Job, God speaks to Job and restores him. The Lord our God gave Job twice as much as he had before. In the end, God gave Job:
14,000 Sheep (Job 42:1
6,000 Camel (Job 42:12)
1,000 Yoke of Oxen (Job 42:12)
1,000 Female Donkeys (Job 42:12)
Sevens Sons and Seven Daughters (Job 42:13)
Job's Daughters were the Most Beautiful Women in all the land (Job 42:15)
Job's Daughters received inheritances like their Brothers (Job 42:15)
Job lived 140 years and witnessed four Generations (Job 42:16)
Job lived a prosperous life in wealth, health, family, and livestock (Job 42:17)
Father in the name of Jesus, help us Father to gain hope, faith, and trust in You like Job. Father I want the faith of Job! Father God, save, heal, and reward, your sons and daughters who are experiencing deep and grave pain. Father God restore, replenish, and reward those who have close relationship with You and those who are in Christ Jesus.
Father I pray for the reader who does not yet know You or Your Son Jesus the Christ. I pray for their salvation today. Save them Father. Allow the right person(s) to align in their path. Father God heal the broken and return everything that was stolen. Father God help us to not look like what we've been through. Father in the end, we give You all the praise, all the glory, and all the honor. We love You God. Father God, what Satan intended for a mess, I ask you to turn into a miracle. Father God You get the glory in the Victory!
It's in Jesus Name I pray. Amen.
𝐿𝑜𝓋𝑒,
𝑀𝑜𝓃𝒾𝒸𝒶
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