Hard Times

Text: Job 1:6-22; 2:1-10; 13:15

Intro: If ever there has been a man who has seen hard times it was Job. Job suffered the loss of all that he had within a moment measured only by hours. These were hard times in the life of Job indeed. In Job we see a clear demonstration of how a child of God should react when adversity strikes.

By God’s marvelous help we would like to consider Job and his trials in hopes that it will help you in the midst of your trials.

I. Consider the Source of Job’s Trials. (1:9-12)

Job’s trials did not just descend from the clear blue sky; they had a place of origin. Job’s trials stemmed from two sources, one was of sovereign origin and the other was of satanic origin.

A. Consider the Sovereign origin of Job’s trials – it was to Prove Job. (v.8)

God did not allow these trials to come that they might destroy Job; He allowed these trials to come that they might prove Job.

We need to recognize the fact that God allows trials to come our way.

B. Consider the Satanic origin of Job’s trials – it was to Pulverize Job.

Satan had no good intentions in his dealings with Job. The only thing he had in mind was to utterly destroy Job.

II. Consider the Scope of Job’s Troubles. (1:13-22; 2:1-10)

Job’s trials were of epic proportion. He lost all that he had in a moment that could only be measured by hours.

Notice his hour of tribulation more closely with me:

A. The loss of his Property.

His 7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 asses were all suddenly stolen or burned up with fire from heaven. The richest man in the east had become bankrupt in one day.

B. The loss of his Progeny.

In one horrific stroke his seven sons and three daughters were all killed.

C. The loss of his Physical condition.

In a single instance he was smitten with putrefying sores from the top of his head to the soles of his feet.

D. The loss of his Position.

The greatest man in the east has now become the most loathsome object in the east. He who once sat among princes is found sitting among ashes.

E. The loss of his Pity.

The one thing left was Job’s wife, but instead of being a comfort she turns out to be a canker. She brings him no more comfort than the sores that have smitten his body.

Hence we have the scope of Job’s trials. There did not seemed to be one stone left unturned in Satan’s seeking for some weapon to use to destroy Job’s confidence in God.

III. Consider the Success of Job’s Trust. (13:15)

Although Job was facing the darkest hour he had ever faced he continued to trust God. His faith and trust in God was ultimately rewarded as we read in the last chapter of the book of Job.

Conclusion: Longfellow once wrote: “Satan desires us, great and small, as wheat to sift us, and we are all tempted. Not one, however, rich or great, is by his station or estate exempted.”

Trials and tribulations are a cold hard fact for the believer and they will come your way eventually. When they do I pray that you can react as Job and continue to trust God in the midst of them.