So Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!” And the LORD said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.” So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD. Job 1:9-12 (NKJV)
Too often when a Christian is tested, we often lose our confidence in the Lord. Or we deny Him, curse Him, lose hope in Him.
Job use to be a very difficult book for me to read, but I recently started to work my way through the pages in order to understand why certain things happen. The fact of the matter is this: Life is filled with trials.
Some trials may hurt more than others, but the fact remains we ALL have trials. We all have moments where our faith is shaken. Our confidence in God may dwindle down to nothing. The hope we once had may disappear when the trials keep coming.
You see in Job, Satan puts out his dare: “Does Job fear God for nothing?”
Do we fear God?
Do we really know who is in control. If we really feared God then nothing in this life would remove our confidence in Him. We would never stop hoping, and trusting in the Lord.
Sure there may be times when we don’t understand what is happening, but that doesn’t mean God has lost all control. If you read further in Job, God remains in control over the entire situation. Satan had to request permission to do anything first.
Who or what do you fear?
Job is all about fearing God – trusting Him. Fearing God is about having a strong reverence and respect for WHO HE IS! He is of course the creator – the One who is always in control, even when it may seem like He is far away.
What can we do during our trials?
Like I had mentioned before, everyone has trials in there life. This has been made so clear to me during my own recent trials. Some trials may never go away, and others may be temporary.
But the one thing I have learned, live through and endure the trials. If not for you, then for those who love you. Live and endure your trials for everyone else who is going through a bigger trial than you. We need to endure the trials in order to show the world what God is really, truly, made of.
Giving Up is Not an Option
There are so many people out there who need to know that there is hope. That whatever doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.
There is no time to be angry with God. No time to run away from the pain! Yes, there will be pain. It will hurt, and you will cry. Your faith will be shaken. But that is when it’s time to endure.
Jesus endured. God knows all pain – even the pain of losing a child – the absolute worst pain (I think) anyone could ever endure! But He HAS endured.
You think this has all been “easy” on God – think again. God knows pain, and I’m sure He knows all about the tears we cry. God knows it all too well.
We need to endure because God endured. Through our endurance the world will see who God really IS.
Prayer:
Dear Father God,
Forgive me Daddy. Forgive me for losing my confidence and faith in You. It has been painful, confusing, and at times too much to bear. There have been moments where the enemy wispers into my ear “He’s not real.” But my love and experience with You IS REAL! I may not understand what is happening, but I do KNOW You are there. I know that YOU are my provider. I know that YOU are my protector. I know that YOU are in control of everything that happens in my life. Thank You for your mercy. Thank You for your grace. Thank You for enduring through everything in order to show me how to live. Where would my life be without You Daddy God? Not here, that’s for sure. Thank You Lord! I praise You today and always. I pray this all in Your Might Son Jesus’ name – amen!
Copyright © Heather Bixler, All Rights Reserved
