December 14th, 2018

  Testimony and Character of Job (Job 1:20-22)
 
Job 1:20-22, "Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly."
 
This passage in Job is one of the most powerful passages in the entire Bible because it presents to us some of the crucial building blocks for the true worship of God Almighty. You can't mention the name Job without immediately thinking of suffering and trials. Job is God's example of a life of devastation and intense loss. Yet also in the name Job you have to think of gratefulness and praise.
 
Not much is told about Job's early life. From the beginning of Job 1, we see that God had blessed Job with many children, much wealth, large properties, much livestock, and overwhelming success. Yet among all that, the Bible describes Job as "perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil" (Job 1:1). Among all his success, Job honored God.
 
One day Satan approached God and sought to prove that Job's righteousness was simply out of abundance. God allowed Satan to bring loss into Job's life as long as Job's life was preserved. Immediately after God allowed that the devil hit Job hard. His animals and servants were slaughtered, his fields were burned, and his children were killed. In the span of a few verses, Job lost everything. How did Job react to such loss? How would you react in such a situation? While some people could rationalize becoming upset with God, questioning His goodness, and turning away from God, Job reacted in a humble, godly manner. Job never once blamed God for what had happened. Not once did he sin against God in cursing Him for the trials he faced.
 
Your testimony during a trial will have a greater impact than your testimony during prosperity. The Christian that can praise and worship God when his entire world seems to be caving in is a person who has deep devotion, love, and a strong relationship with the Lord. Job teaches us with his life that genuine worship is not distracted by traumatic circumstances. In fact, he is one of several men in the Bible that praised and worshiped God in times of affliction and great crisis.
 
The immediate reaction of facing trials is asking "why?" We want an explanation as to why we have to face a difficult situation that others don't. Yet God wants us to view the trial as an opportunity to honor Him. God often works greatest during times of greatest pain. Rather than asking "why," thank God that He has given you a unique opportunity to honor Him. Your testimony during a trial will have a greater impact than your testimony during prosperity. Thank God that He has allowed you to be such a witness! Take time today to call out to God in praise specifically for your trial. Follow Job's lead and say, "Blessed be the name of the LORD." If you can still praise God in your trial, He will use you as a blessing to others as well.
 
Prayer: Lord, help me to stay strong and to praise You when trials come. I’m thankful for people like Job who have trusted in You when suffering. Help me to honor You in times of great affliction and anguish by worshipping You during my trial. In Jesus name, Amen!   
 
 
Please Share this website and its articles with others: www.fellowshipbaptistcarrabelle.com