Date: Sunday, June 01, 2014
Today's Chapters: Job 9-12
Message Title: Seeing God During Trials

From time to time, even as faithful Christians, we all go through things that have us asking God, “Why are you doing this?”. We must realize that it is okay to ask God questions, He wants us to ask Him questions. As we draw closer to Him, through our trials we not only get a better insight spiritually, we also find the answers, or at least comfort. What we should not do is question God, while we may not understand what is going on, God knows exactly what is going on. We all have to face the fact that whether we choose to follow Christ or not we are going to face trials, they do not go away, but they can get easier to handle when we put our faith and trust in God. He will make the unpleasant situations pleasant as long as we give them over to Him. “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” - Psalms 23:4-6.

Job must have had every emotion going on at the same time, he was confused, grieving, in pain, and on top of that, the only people that would talk to him were four friends that kept making accusations at him. This time, he was accused of being a hypocrite, and while Job admitted that he was a sinner, just like the rest of them, he reminded them that God knows what's going on. “I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be just with God? If he will contend with him, he cannot answer him one of a thousand. He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength: who hath hardened himself against him, and hath prospered? Lo, he goeth by me, and I see him not: he passeth on also, but I perceive him not. Behold, he taketh away, who can hinder him? who will say unto him, What doest thou? If God will not withdraw his anger, the proud helpers do stoop under him. How much less shall I answer him, and choose out my words to reason with him? If I had called, and he had answered me; yet would I not believe that he had hearkened unto my voice. If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me: if I say, I am perfect, it shall also prove me perverse.” - Job 9:2-4,11-1416,20.

I am going to share with you something I do not share with many, while I was saved as a teenager, I had no idea what that meant so, I just continued doing what I normally did. It wasn't until my life started falling a part that I realized that maybe I needed God, and for the first time in years I found myself stepping into a church. At first, things didn't get any better, in fact, they got much worse, I got sick and almost killed myself, unintentionally mixing medicines. It was then that God spoke to me and pointed me directly to the Book of Job, I sat on my bedroom floor that day and read the entire book. It was then that I realized that God had been with me the entire time since I got saved, and that He had a better plan for my life than I had for myself. Whether we realize it or not, God is always interceding in the life of His children, and while He does back off and let us take the reins for a while, He knows when it is time to step in. “But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” - Matthew 14:27.

Job admitted that his thinking was way beyond his ability to comprehend the things that God was doing, but he also realized that God was with him, even though he could not see Him. He explains what he would say to God. “My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. Is it good unto thee that thou shouldest oppress, that thou shouldest despise the work of thine hands, and shine upon the counsel of the wicked? Thou hast granted me life and favour, and thy visitation hath preserved my spirit. And these things hast thou hid in thine heart: I know that this is with thee. If I sin, then thou markest me, and thou wilt not acquit me from mine iniquity. If I be wicked, woe unto me; and if I be righteous, yet will I not lift up my head. I am full of confusion; therefore see thou mine affliction;” - Job 10:1-3,12-15.

Zophar responds, he scolded Job and not only called him a hypocrite, but a liar too. He was literally telling him that God wasn't chastening him enough for his sins. “Should not the multitude of words be answered? and should a man full of talk be justified? Should thy lies make men hold their peace? and when thou mockest, shall no man make thee ashamed? For thou hast said, My doctrine is pure, and I am clean in thine eyes. But oh that God would speak, and open his lips against thee; And that he would shew thee the secrets of wisdom, that they are double to that which is! Know therefore that God exacteth of thee less than thine iniquity deserveth.” - Job 11:2-6.

You have to love advice from those who think they know more than you do? We are warned not to bring added suffering to those who need our comfort. Judgmental critics often misunderstand God's methods, but we can overcome even them by reminding ourselves that God is with us. Job responds to Zophar. “No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you. But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these? I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.” - Job 12:2-4.

I love Job's response, “I am not under you, I do not have to answer to you!” God knows what is going on, He is not a respecter of persons, the same punishment and blessings are given to all. God may show more favor toward others for their obedience, but He doesn't love one more than the other, we are all the same. “There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” - Romans 3:11,12,21-23.

Sometimes it is hard to find God's presence in the midst of our trials, but He is always with us. He may never even reveal a reason behind the trial, but He knows what He is doing, and in the end, not only will we find comfort, we will also find God's favor. “My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” - Proverbs 3:1-6.

Today's Prayer: God, I know that your hand is in everything and I am trusting You to get me through every trial I face. I admit that instead of handing things over to You and letting You direct my path that I try to take my own path sometimes and it becomes more unpleasant than it needs to be. Lord, give me Your power to let go of the fight to try to handle it all on my own and just hand it all over to You. Give me Your power to take the path the You laid out for me and not my own. Give me Your power to look to You whenever I am be tempted to turn and walk away, let me face my fears with all the power that Your strength can give me. Let me find comfort through the unpleasant experiences I am facing and help me to always look to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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