JOB’S FAITHFULNESS
Sunday, November 20, 2005 – AM
If there’s one person in the Word of God that we all should learn to emulate, that man was Job. At the same time, if there was one man in the Bible who none of us want to copy, in the things he went through, it was also Job. Job was a man who loved God and a man of great patience, learned through the crucible of great trials and tests. In the end it was Job who had the last laugh on the Devil. In the end, he was blessed beyond measure. Job’s God proved faithful through it all, and Job’s God is my God too!
Trials, tests, faithfulness and victory are a pattern that each of us must face consistently as we walk this life. None of us is immune to Satan’s attacks, but all of us can be just as successful as Job through it all.
What price will you have to pay?
What trials will you have to face?
What victories will you win?
What blessings will God pour out upon you as a result of your faithfulness in the face of adversity?
All of these are questions that every one of us must ask, but the fact is that only God knows what life holds, and only God knows what you are able to bear, so just learn to be like Job and have faith and patience to endure to the end.
The important thing to remember here is that every man, woman and child will face adversity in life. No one will escape the torments of the devil. No one will escape the temptations to sin, and no one will escape the fact that God will allow us to be tested and tried.
God is looking for a church that has been tried in the fire. He’s looking for a Bride that will be tested to the max for her faithfulness to remain true to Him. God is looking for a people who will want to be identified with Him, no matter what the devil, or what life can throw against them. God is looking for those who will be faithful through it all.
I want to be counted in that number! I pray that all of us will be identified as Job was in the sight of God. It was not Job’s unfaithfulness that brought his trials. It was not his failure to pray, to live or to give sacrificially to God, nor was His lack of trust in God, that brought his trials to him.
There are many foolish preachers, and foolish Christian brothers and sisters, who will blame every adversity that comes against other people as being the result of sin in the life of the one who is suffering. How many times have I heard people ask, “What did I do, or what did you do, to bring this sickness, this pain and this heartache upon yourself?” What a foolish question! It’s as though that brother or sister in the Lord, who is facing hardship, has all ready been charged, judged and sentenced for some sin that they didn’t even commit. We always claim that our own suffering is due to God testing our faithfulness, but we seldom give that credit to anyone else. They just had to do something wrong to be going through what they are going through right now.
God’s view of Job was different from what his “friends” had. Job’s three friends that were to come to his rescue just couldn’t believe that a man could be upright and faithful before God and still be in the condition that Job was in. They thought that they would be coming to Job’s aid, when in fact, they only added to Job’s misery in most cases because they did not see what God saw.
Job 1:1, "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil."
What a man of God was Job! When in God’s opinion I am perfect, I am upright (meaning I am fulfilling all of the requirements of faith and righteousness), and I have a reference and love of God that is perfect, and I am seen by God as a man who hates evil and shuns even the very appearance of evil – then my friend – you just can’t ask for anything better than that.
How many of us are perfect in God’s opinion this morning? Does God look down upon your life, in everything you say, in everything you do, in everywhere you go, and in all that you are, and say – YOU ARE PERFECT?
In God’s opinion – not your own opinion, or the opinion of your brothers and sisters in the church – are you walking upright before Him? Does God see you as a man or woman who fears Him, walks before Him with perfect trust, perfect reverence and perfect love for Him? Does God have such a high opinion of you that He will say, “There is a man or woman who truly hates and shuns evil with all their might?” I hope that you can say Yes to all of these questions, because if you cannot, then realize that there is room for improvement. The fact is that all of us should be that way. God should be able to look at each and every one of us and say, “There is a perfect, upright Child of God that fears God and hates sin.”
Upon the authority of the Word of God, and by using the example of Job because God is no respecter of persons, “YOU CAN DO IT”! Being perfect before God is not impossible, in fact it is possible and it is also a requirement for being a part of the Bride of Christ, that must be without spot, wrinkle or blemish – and it is a requirement for going in the Rapture when Jesus comes to catch his Bride away.
It was not because of any sin that Job was to face the harsh trials that lie ahead – IT WAS BECAUSE OF HIS PERFECT LIFE BEFORE GOD AND GOD’S BELIEF IN JOB AND HIS FOREKNOWLEDGE OF JOB’S FAITHFULNESS!
Job was a blessed man. God had opened the windows of Heaven and poured out blessing and blessing upon Job. God loved Job as a Father loves his son, and He wanted to give Job the best, most abundant life that Job could have. Just look at what God had done for Job, and realize that this is the kind of blessings that God has given to us and still wants to give to us today.
Job 1:2-3, "And there were born unto him seven sons and three daughters. His substance also was seven thousand sheep, and three thousand camels, and five hundred yoke of oxen, and five hundred she asses, and a very great household; so that this man was the greatest of all the men of the east."
David said in Psalms 127:3-5, "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. As arrows are in the hand of a mighty man; so are children of the youth. Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them: they shall not be ashamed, but they shall speak with the enemies in the gate."
There is no doubt that Job was blessed with a “quiver full of children”. He had 10 children already. His wealth was great, not just in spiritual power, and a heart after God, but also in the wealth of this world. From the description of the scripture there is no doubt that Job had the biggest ranch in the eastern world. He was known far and wide as the richest man around. (Perhaps the Bible said in the east, because God knew that there would be some mighty big ranches in the west, especially Texas).
The good thing of all this is that Job’s wealth and power in this world had not gone to his head and ruined his relationship with God. He stayed faithful through it all. Let that be a lesson to those who think that rich people can’t serve God or be faithful in spite of their wealth.
I know that many people have taught, and thought, through the years that rich people can’t go to Heaven. That’s foolishness! Does not God have the power to save even the rich people? Money is the root of all evil, and it does give power that can easily be corrupted, and it can easily take control of your life, but it doesn’t have to. Money is no more than a tool to be used for good or evil. It’s that faithfulness, and the love of God in a man that really matters. If he remains faithful and trusting to God as Job did, then a rich man can be a great blessing to the church, to his neighbors and to the work of the Lord. I pray that God sends a few rich Christians to our church to help support the work that God has called us to do.
It wasn’t Job’s wealth that brought Satan against him. It wasn’t his possessions that drew him into sin and then into great trials. It was Job’s faithfulness. Satan only used all of the things that Job had as tools to try to bring him down. It’s not what you possess that determines your real value and your real character, it’s not what you have that defines your life, its what is in your heart that really matters!
I also must say that it was not Job’s neglect of his family, or a self-centered lifestyle that brought on his trials.
Job 1:4-5, "And his sons went and feasted in their houses, every one his day; and sent and called for their three sisters to eat and to drink with them. And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually."
It seems to me that Job had spread his wealth among his family. He didn’t just hoard it all in a cave somewhere but he wanted, just like we do, to see his children blessed and happy. All of his children had their own homes, and no doubt, their own share of the family fortune and influence among their neighbors. Job’s family name was well respected in the land.
But Job had the same problem that many of us do, as parents. He had some unruly, disobedient children, who loved the party life. Job’s children were living and enjoying life because of the blessings of their father. They hadn’t earned God’s blessings. They hadn’t learned to be faithful and true to God like Job. They just enjoyed the overflow of God’s blessings upon their father because of his faithfulness to God.
I know how Job must have felt. I believe that many of you can say the same thing. Job tried to teach his children by his own example, how to serve the Lord. There is no doubt in my mind that Job did everything he could to raise his children to serve the Lord because God called Job perfect in all his ways. But those children had to make up their own minds and live their own lives. They couldn’t go to Heaven on Job’s coat tails. They wouldn’t receive God’s best for their lives unless they chose to live for God. They would only experience God’s blessings second hand, because they didn’t serve God.
That didn’t stop Job from continually trying to reach them and teach them. He was constantly bringing them before the Lord God of Heaven. He was constantly praying for them and doing all he could to teach them to serve God, but it just didn’t seem to work.
I don’t read anywhere where Job’s children ever came back to God. They lived on Job’s blessings, but they died in their own sins in spite of Job’s witnessing to them.
God restricted Satan’s attacks against Job. Satan could not kill Job because Job was God’s child and God will not allow his children to be tempted above what they can bear. But that protection wasn’t on Job’s children because they weren’t God’s children. They were children of the devil who served Satan with their riotous living and God allowed Satan to do whatever he wanted to with them.
Job 1:6-11, "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face."
Satan is the accuser of the brethren according to Revelation 12:10, and he came before God to accuse Job, and to attempt to anger God. He never gives up trying. But God is never fooled by Satan’s deceptive ways and lying tongue.
God put a limit on Satan’s power against Job and God has built a hedge around his own children today, but pity those who don’t belong to God. How far will Satan take them? Remember this, Satan hates all men because we are created in the image of God. In the end, he only has one desire for all of us. He wants every one of us to burn in the flames of hell with him. He knows he is destined to spend eternity there and he wants to bring every man, woman and child that he can with him, just to get back at God.
Job 1:12, "And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD."
The worst day of Job’s life was about to break forth. Dark clouds of destruction gathered, death lingered above his house, and every power of hell that Satan could muster was brought to bear. Satan was about to do his worst in every effort to bring Job down.
When this begins to happen to you, don’t lose faith in God. God knew what was going on the whole time, but it was all for Job’s good. Job couldn’t see it now, and it would take a long time of suffering, pain, sickness and heartache for the realization of God’s blessings to come, but they would surely come.
You won’t understand it all, no more than Job did. You will suffer pain, anguish, sorrow and loss, just like Job did. But when it’s all over and finished, you will be victorious!
First came the news that his children were in trouble. Much of what they possessed, that he had given to them, or that they had earned on their own, was stolen by thieves of the world!
When your disobedient children get into trouble and begin to lose their homes, their cars, their jobs, and go into financial difficulties, and all sorts of troubles seem to overtake them, don’t be surprised. Yes pray for them, sacrifice your time and your prayer, and do what you can to reach out to them, but understand this – all of it may carry a reason, and it may be for more than one reason.
1) It may be a test to crush you if you let it because of the thoughts of how you must have failed to raise them right, or live right before them as a good parent who set a good example.
2) It may also be the result of God allowing judgments to go against them in an effort to turn them around, or allowing Satan to have his way in judgment for their sin against God.
Then came the news that events had taken place that were unearthly in their power. Fire right out of Heaven destroyed part of his herds and destroyed part of Job’s wealth.
Some things that come against you can be explained by natural course of events, but some will come from powers and for reasons that you cannot understand. It will even seem that God had to be the one who sent judgments against you.
Fire, right out of Heaven? God is a consuming fire. Heaven is His dwelling place. Therefore the fire must have come from God. I wonder if for a moment Job would have thought, “God, why did you send fire down on me? What did I do wrong? What sin have I committed to bring down fire upon my household?”
All too often, God gets blamed for what Satan is doing, because Satan is a deceiver and he will make you try to accuse God and therefore make you doubt and become unfaithful. That was his whole purpose with Job, wasn’t it?
It’s not God’s fault that storms come. It’s not God’s fault that things go wrong in the lives of his children. It’s not God that is bringing troubles your way – IT’S THE DEVIL AND DON’T EVER FORGET THAT!
God is good! God is love! God is merciful, kind, generous and He only wants the best for your life! It’s His will that you have an abundant life! So why should he destroy the things that He has given to you already? It’s not God – it’s the devil.
Satan is the source of all evil, every storm, every hurricane, every sickness, every disease, every judgment against mankind, and every other source of pain and injury that you can think of. God will allow it come for the reasons of judgment or for testing. He will give Satan permission to bring forth whatever comes, but God sets the limits, and He doesn’t perform the evil deed. It is God’s will that all men be saved and that none perish. It is Satan’s will that all men be killed and destroyed. Don’t ever get that confused.
Then came news that enemy kings had come, attacked and stolen more of Job’s personal wealth and possessions.
Sometimes the attacks are spiritual or supernatural in nature, and sometimes they are human in nature, but still inspired by Satan.
Other people can come against you with accusations, false or real. Accidents can cost you much. Sickness can drain your wealth and your health. War, famine, inflation and economic woes will also drain you, but their source is still the devil, even if they come through the means of man.
Then came the news that all of his children were dead. The most important possessions he had were his children. They were loved so greatly. All Job wanted was the best for them and now they were gone, lost to the hand of the devil, and probably lost for all eternity without God.
This was almost unbearable. He could stand losing property. He could stand losing wealth, servants, flocks and herds, but the loss of his children was almost unbearable.
Satan knows how to hit us the hardest and that’s what he will do, but praise God, God knew what Job could stand and he set the limits. God was still in control, no matter how bad it seemed, and Job would not forget that!
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."
Can you see the pain Job suffered? Can you feel anguish, the grief of his heart? But can you also see the faithfulness that he had to God. Job never blamed God for anything.
Satan didn’t stop there – more attacks were to come. He appeared before God once again and was given permission to attack Job personally, but not to kill him.
Come on now Lord? How much more of this testing can I take? What more could you ask of me? That’s how we would feel, and I’m sure Job felt that same way at times.
Then came the next hard blow to Job when even his own wife turned against him.
Job 2:9-10, "Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips."
Sometimes you just have to hang on by yourself. No one else can hold to God for you. No one else can understand, not bear your cross for you. Your cross is yours alone to bear, with God’s help. Jesus is the only friend who can be with you to the end. He is the only one who can walk with you every day and stay closer than a brother. He is the only one who can take you safely through every trial and test. Just keep trusting Jesus when there is no one left to trust.
Then came the three friends who thought they could help, thought they knew all the answers, and thought they would help Job come out of this troubles.
A lot of people will try to help, but they can’t.
A lot of people will think they have a Word from the Lord for you, but they won’t.
A lot of people will try to be there for you, give you advise, try to help you find out what is wrong, or how to come out of your trial, but not one of them will truly understand or be able to do anything for you other than have pity.
Quite often, those who come to help will become a bigger burden than a help for you. You can’t lean upon the arm of the flesh, for your help is only found in Jesus. Don’t look for answers in people, look for answers in Jesus.
In the end, Job overcame. After the dark valley of trials had passed, the victory was won. Joy returned to his house and God blessed Job more than ever.
Job 42:10-13, "And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before. Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold. So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: for he had fourteen thousand sheep, and six thousand camels, and a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she asses. He had also seven sons and three daughters."
God blessed Job with 10 more children. He blessed him with twice the wealth that he had before. Job would never forget what he had lost, but now he could go on rejoicing and serving the Lord in spite of the loss and enjoy the blessings of God.
Even though it may seem that life is crashing around you right now. And though you may wonder if you will make it through. Trust in the Lord, lean upon Him, stay faithful to God, and in the end you will be victorious. God will bring you through. He will open the windows of Heaven in your life once again, and your life will be ever more blessed because you proved your faithfulness through it all.
