We read in Job 1:1, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job. And that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and turned aside from evil.” (AFV)
The testimony about Job
The bible when describing about this man called Job, introduces him as one who was blameless, upright, one who feared God, and shunned evil. Job was blameless because he feared God, and he was an upright man because he turned aside from evil.
These are four qualities that should be evident in the lives of everyone who is a child of God. If God were to give an introduction about us, what are the qualities that He would observe, and speak about? This is something that we should take time to think about.
God was so pleased with Job because He consciously decided to turn away from evil. Before we look at some other examples of those who shunned evil, let me highlight a verse for you.
Renounce every form of evil
Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.”(KJV)
Here the word of God is explicit that we should not just stay away from evil, but from all appearance of evil. Let me explain it to you from something that a majority of us are familiar with. Today most of us possess a smart phone, and we all know that there are numerous things that are beneficial to us, and also much that can distract us. Have you observed how when we are not watchful, we can get so engrossed in these unnecessary things, and later regret that we spent a lot of time on worthless stuff. It is good to take a check to see how much of what we watch is actually profitable, worthwhile, motivates us to draw closer to God, so we can live a life that is pleasing to God. No wonder then that the word of God admonishes us to refrain from anything that even has an appearance of evil.
There may be those who don’t really have a smart phone, but you can still misuse it if you are spending endless hours on unprofitable chatter, and gossip with others. In earlier times making phone calls was an expensive affair, but nowadays it is not so. The bible reminds us in Proverbs 10:19, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking,” (NKJV) Just imagine two people who are engaged in a telephonic conversation. As the conversation proceeds for a length of time, it will eventually lead to unnecessary things being shared. Just think about it, irrespective of who that conversation is with, could be a family member or a friend, in any lengthy conversation, there is a high probability that we would end up sinning with our words. We must therefore ask God to help us control our tongues, so that we do not sin with our words, and displease Him in any way. We must have wisdom therefore, not only to keep away from evil, but also to renounce every form of evil.
The tragedy that struck Job
Job had ten children, was an extremely wealthy man, with numerous livestock, and one of great standing among his people. It was in the midst of this serene life of joy and contentment that a severe storm struck Job’s life. A man who had outstanding qualities that God approved of, was suddenly met with unimaginable loss and grief.
The four messages Job received in one day
We read about this in Job 1:14-19, a messenger came running to Job. "We were plowing the fields with the oxen," he said, "and the donkeys were in a nearby pasture. Suddenly the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. They killed every one of your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Three bands of Chaldean raiders attacked us, took away the camels, and killed all your servants except me. I am the only one who escaped to tell you. "Before he had finished speaking, another servant came and said, "Your children were having a feast at the home of your oldest son, when a storm swept in from the desert. It blew the house down and killed them all. I am the only one who escaped to tell you." (GNB)
The first bad news was that the Sabeans had attacked, and stolen all of Job’s oxen and donkeys, killed all of his servants except one. Another servant brought the second shocking news that lightning had struck and killed all of Job’s sheep and shepherds, sparing only him. The third servant came with the dreadful news that the Chaldean raiders had attacked and killed the servants of Job, and taken away all of his camels. However, the worst news was that a furious storm had killed all of Job’s children, without sparing even one of them. One cannot imagine what Job must have gone through as he heard these outrageous reports one after the other. In one day Job lost all of his possessions in livestock, and to add to this sorrow, he lost what must have been most precious to him as a father, all of his children in one day.
At this present time, there is so much of chaos all around us in the form of pandemic, cyclones, floods and wars. These messages that we hear every day, fill our hearts with dread and disturb our peace. Our newspapers and media are filled with appalling information which affect us in many ways. When the news is of those who are not known to us, it may not bother us too much, but when calamity strikes those who are close to us, it grieves our hearts deeply. The loss of someone who is dear to us is unbearable, and saddens us immensely.
We cannot therefore imagine what Job must have gone through when he lost all that was his, including all of his children in one day. Let us read Job’s response as is recorded in the verses below.
This is what we read in Job 1:20-21, Then Job got up and tore his clothes in grief. He shaved his head and threw himself face downward on the ground. He said, "I was born with nothing, and I will die with nothing. The LORD gave, and now he has taken away. May his name be praised!" (GNB)
Job acknowledged that he came into the world with nothing, and would also depart that way. He also recognized that God was the giver of all that he possessed, and therefore that God also had the right to take them all away, if He wished. However, the most astounding part of Job’s response was that he could praise God’s name in the midst of these gruesome calamities. Job did not set his heart on the blessings he had received from God, rather his heart was set firmly on the Lord, who was the giver of all good things in his life. Job was so grateful to God for all the blessings He had showered on him, as he realized that none of it would be his, if God did not give it to him graciously. Job recounted all the blessings that he had enjoyed, the joy of marriage, and the blessing of having ten children, when many around him may have been childless, and also the abundance of possessions that God had in His goodness granted to him. Job also had the right perspective to comprehend that in his limited span between his birth and death, all that he received were the generous gifts that God has bestowed on him. No wonder then Job could praise the Lord with all his heart, in the midst of his arduous and sorrowful circumstances.
All of us came into the world as helpless babies, and we too were surrounded by many dangers, but the Lord sustained us through it all. We are all so joyful and thankful when we receive the numerous blessings that God showers on us, but sadly, we become discouraged or disheartened even if we lose one of them. The difficulties that we encounter today, should never make us forget the manifold goodness and blessings that we received from God in the past. We too must be reminded that our life on earth is temporary, and instead of becoming self-centered or selfish we need to think of ways in which we can bless others. Truly the fact is that we can take nothing out of this world when we leave.
Job was blameless
The life of Job has been recorded in the bible to encourage us to not give up, when there are unexpected troubles and hardships. This is the testimony that we read about Job as mentioned below.
We read in Job 1:22 “In spite of everything that had happened, Job did not sin by blaming God.” (GNB)
Through all of these disasters that struck Job, we are told that Job did not sin against God by blaming God for any of his misfortunes.
There are so many who are at present drowned in sorrow and heartaches, feeling that there is absolutely no way out for them. Let me assure you that God is able to lift you up out of every discouraging situation you find yourself in, because the one who called you is faithful. The one who gave you your life, and kept you safe till now has a specific purpose for your life. Therefore, don’t lose heart, but keep running the race of faith that you have commenced on. If you have questioned or complained against God, seek His forgiveness. Be assured to know that God knows and understands all of your griefs and sorrows, more than anyone else could.
Oftentimes, I have heard people comparing themselves with others and they feel that those who are not as good as themselves, are having a much better life with no troubles. We must constantly call to memory the many good things we received from the Lord, and the blessings that He has showered on us. No matter what the troubles are that you are facing right now, God will help you overcome, and rise above these trials.
There is hope beyond the grave
We read in 1 Thessalonians 4:13, But I do not wish you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, that you be not grieved, even as others, who have no hope. (AFV)
There are two groups of people that Paul is speaking about in the above mentioned verse. Ones who have hope, and the other group who have no hope. To fall asleep actually refers to death, and God’s word encourages us that there is hope for those who have died. At home when someone goes to sleep at night, none of us are upset or worried about it because we know they will wake up the next day. The bible refers to death as sleep, to give us the assurance that just as one who sleeps is sure to wake up, so also those who have died will surely rise again one day. God’s word gives us hope that those who die in the Lord are sure to rise again when the Lord returns. Those who believe in Jesus will rise from the dead, just as Jesus Himself rose from the dead. Hence, we as believers in the Lord Jesus should not grieve like those who do so with no hope.
This is further explained in 1 Thessalonians 4:14, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in exactly the same way also, those who have fallen asleep in Jesus will God bring with Him.” (AFV)
Jesus Christ came into this world, to take the sins of all mankind on Himself. Jesus died on the cross, was buried, and He rose again on the third day. Death no longer has any dominion over Him. So also, those who believe in Jesus will most assuredly rise again from the dead, for death is only a temporary state for a believer. If you want to have this hope you need to place your faith in the Lord Jesus. Only when we do so, can we be guaranteed that just as Jesus rose victorious over death, we too will be resurrected one day. We also have the assurance of living with Jesus eternally, and there is therefore no place for fear of death in the life of a believer. Jesus is the only one who rose from the dead, and He is the only one who can save our souls from eternal death.
The above verse specifically talks about those who have fallen asleep ‘in Jesus.’ This implies that this is applicable for all those who have placed their faith in Jesus, believing that He alone is the Way to eternal life. For such ones, death is not the end, and there is therefore no reason to mourn and grieve as those who have no hope. God wants us to rise out of our fears, and move forward knowing that the Lord is in control of our future. Jesus took all of our sins and curses on our behalf on the cross of Calvary. Jesus conquered death, and has promised to remain with us till the very end. The living Lord Jesus also gives us hope of resurrection and eternal life.
We are all living in trying times, but just like Job may we keep praising God, no matter what happens. For those who have lost loved ones, the Lord assures you that He is with you, and will help you finish the race that is set for you. God has a purpose and plan for our lives, and we need to ask God to remove all our fears, and fill our hearts with hope that is eternal. Jesus is alive, and He is our protector, our refuge and fortress. Remember that nothing that is formed against us will prevail, and God will surely help us triumph over them all. Jesus is with us, and if we place our trust in Him, He will help us overcome our fears, transform our sorrows into joy, and give us hope and strength to carry on.
Rev. F. Andrew Dixon
www.goodnewsfriends.net
Transcribed by: Sis. Esther Collins
