Blessed Assurance

BLESSED ASSURANCE

Job 2:11

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, each one came from his own place-- Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. For they had made an appointment together to come and mourn with him, and to comfort him.

Before we look at Job 2 we need to go back to Job1: 6 where it states, ¡§NOW THERE WAS A DAY¡K.¡¨.

Most of us can remember where we where on certain days. We can often remember what we where doing when certain life events took place.

We remember what we where doing when we received the news of the lost of a loved one.

We remember what it was like the day our child was born.

Those of you as old as I or older will remember when:

ľ Kennedy was shot

ľ The evening Dr King was killed

Many of you have embedded in your minds what you where doing when you heard the terrible news of September 11th.

I remember a normal morning at work. You know what I¡¦m talking about; you get your first cup of coffee, do a little small talk with associates and then get started on your daily routines. But THIS WAS A DAY. I remember my wife calling and telling me a plane had just crashed into the World Trade Center. I remember co-workers crying and calling home to relatives. I remember having a blessed assurance that all was not lost and if my God could bring us to this, He could bring us through it.

We all remember days of major life events.

Brother Job had a day and the bible says NOW THERE WAS A DAY.

I can imagine Brother Job and his Sister Job eating breakfast on a normal but beautiful morning.

I can see them looking out the window at the green fields covered with a bountiful harvest. They can also see the camel caravan passing by taking their goods to market.

They look out and see the houses of their children and maybe their grandchildren getting ready for school.

Next they look at each other and think how blessed we are. I can hear them say This is a Day that the Lord has made let us rejoice and be glad in it.

But in a matter of moments their lives change forever.

In only a matter of moments one servant after another comes shouting horrible news.

In a matter of moments the news got worst and worst until finally the final blow comes with the news that ALL TEN CHRIDLEN HAVE BEEN LOST.

It only took a matter of moments for Job to go from being the wealthiest man in the valley to being a man who has lost all.

Possessions gone, Staff gone, Livelihood gone, All of his children gone.

Just like brother Job we can go from being on top of the world to losing everything.

We live in a time when we have lost our way of life as we used to know it.

We live in a time when:

ľ Children are blowing up schools

ľ Children killing children and even killing parents and grandparents

We live in a time when:

ľ Our sons are in jail

ľ Daughters strung out on drugs

We live in a time when:

ľ Our elderly live in fear

ľ Gangs roam the streets

We live in a time when in just a matter of moments your life can be changed in the twinkling of an eye.

Many people can identify with Job. For whatever reason they have lost all they had and where left with a choice. Where do I go from here and who can help me now.

What will you do when trouble comes your way ¡V when misery comes your way ¡V when disappointment comes your way?

Will you trust in the Lord as your maker, creator and ever presence help in time of need.

Evidence tells me we¡¦re not trusting God to make a way somehow¡K

Most people are trying to figure things out on their own¡K

Brother Job didn¡¦t do what some of us do.

ƒæ Didn¡¦t go see the root woman

ƒæ Didn¡¦t consult the soothsayer ¡V the crystal ball reader

ƒæ Didn¡¦t go to the loan shark ¡V title loan company

ƒæ Didn¡¦t look up the lady of the night

ƒæ Didn¡¦t go to the bartender

ƒæ Didn¡¦t look up the drug dealer

If this where not bad enough. The bible says; ¡§THERE WAS ANOTHER DAY¡¨.

On this day Job awakens with terrible pain all over his body. He is covered from head to toe with painful boils.

Job lost almost all that was dear to him and now he even loses his health.