“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and
drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said,
“The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans
attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am
the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another
messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up
the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans
formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with
them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped
to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said,
“Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest
brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and
struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead,
and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:13-20 NIV).
*
Job’s story teaches, the bible student that FOLLOWING GOD IS COSTLY!
“...One day
when large groups of people were walking along with him, Jesus turned and told
them, “Anyone who comes to me but
refuses to let go of father,
mother, spouse, children, brothers, sisters—yes, even
one’s own self!—can’t be my disciple....” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG). Job said:
“...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job
13:15 KJV).
FOLLOWING
GOD IS A CHOICE. “...Anyone who
won’t [choose to] ... shoulder his (her) own cross and follow behind me can’t be my disciple...” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG). “…
I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore [YOU]…choose life…” (Deuteronomy 30:19
KJV). “…Choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Jesus said… I am the LIFE…..”
(John 11:25 KJV). “…Choose
you
this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).
FOLLOWING GOD IS A COMMITMENT. “...Is there anyone here who,
planning to build a new house, doesn’t first
sit down and figure the cost so you’ll know if you can complete it? If you only get
the foundation laid and then run out of money, you’re going to look pretty
foolish. Everyone passing by will poke fun at you: ‘He started something he couldn’t finish.’ “Or
can you imagine a king going into battle against another king without first
deciding whether it is possible with his ten thousand troops to face the twenty
thousand troops of the other? And if he decides he can’t, won’t he send an
emissary and work out a truce? ...”
(Luke 14:25-35
MSG). “…The faithful
followers of the Lord … keep their promises even
when it hurts…” (Psalm 15:4 NLT).
FOLLOWING GOD IS A SACRIFICE OF SELF. “…‘[I’ve]…
given up everything to follow you…” (Mark
10:28-31 NLT). “...Simply put, if
you’re not willing to take what is dearest to you,
whether plans or people (or self), and kiss it
good-bye, you can’t be my disciple...” (Luke 14:25-35 MSG).
JESUS
SAID: “… I lay down my life... No one
takes it from me, but I lay it down of my own accord. …” (John 10:17-18 KJV).
Jesus offered his earthen vessel as a “…living
sacrifice…” which is “…[also God’s
people’s] … reasonable service…” (Romans 12:1 KJV).
“Reasonable service” is one that is
equitable, just, and fair or the “least” you can do; considering what God has
done for YOU. “…The LORD has done great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3
NIV).
FOLLOWING GOD, IN THIS FALLEN WORLD, MEANS
YOU WILL FACE TROUBLE and find yourself
INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE (trials and tribulations). “...In
the world ye shall
have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world...” (John 16:33 KJV). “... Here
on earth you will have many trials and
sorrows. But take heart, because I
have overcome the world..." (John 16:44 NLT).
“...Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid...” (John 14:27
KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
BECAUSE “OVERWHELMING
VICTORY IS OURS,” WE NEVER GIVE UP. “…That is
why we never give up.
Though our bodies are dying, our spirits
are being renewed every day.
For our present troubles are small and won’t last very long. Yet they
produce for us a glory that
vastly outweighs them and will last forever!”
(2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT).
For example: “…The poor man died and was carried away by
the angels to Abraham’s bosom; and the rich man also died and was buried. In Hades he lifted up his
eyes, being in torment, and saw Abraham far away and Lazarus in his bosom.
And he cried out and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me,
and send Lazarus so that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool off
my tongue, for I am in agony in this flame.’ But Abraham said,
‘Child, remember that during
your life you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus bad things; but now he is being comforted here, and you are in agony…”
(Luke 16:22-25 NASB).
God’s BLESSINGS, even INSIDE
the STORMS of life, heavily PROTECT his people. “… [God’s]...BLESSING is upon THY PEOPLE…”
(Psalms 3:8 KJV). “…YOU (God) MAKE [them]… “MOST” BLESSED
forever;
…” (Psalms 21:6 NASB). “…You
surround [them]… WITH FAVOR as
with a shield…” (Psalms 5:12 NASB).
You become A BLESSING, wherever
you are, because you are God’s child through Christ Jesus. “…I will BLESS
thee …and thou
shalt be a BLESSING…”
(Genesis 12:2-3 KJV).
God will BLESS
EVERYTHING and EVERYBODY around for
your SAKE. For example: “…The Lord was
with Joseph,
and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the
Egyptian. …”
(Genesis 39:2-6 NLT). “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for
Joseph’s sake;
and the
blessing of the Lord was
on all that he had in the house and in the field. Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what
he had except for the bread which he ate…”
(Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).
Like
Joseph, YOU ARE that kind of BLESSING!! No matter who leaves you or
rejects you, or abandons you; God’s presence will ALWAYS BLESS your life. “…you will be a blessing…” (Genesis 12:2 NIV). “…He that is joined unto the LORD is ONE SPIRIT…”
(1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV).
“…God’s Spirit
dwells in
you?...”
(1 Corinthians 3:16 NASB). God will “…never leave nor forsake you… …”
(Hebrews 13:5).
God’s presence, his
goodness, and his power will ALWAYS BLESS the life around you. “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for
Joseph’s sake;
and the
blessing of the Lord was
on all that he had…”
(Genesis 39:2-6 NLT).
“…BLESSINGS
are on the head of the righteous…”
(Proverbs 10:6 NASB). “…You
surround [your people] ... WITH
FAVOR as with a shield…”
(Psalms 5:12 NASB).
God’s people “are”
BLESSINGS and they automatically BLESS the atmosphere wherever they are. God
blessed Potipher’s house (atmosphere) for Joseph’s sake. “….the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s house for
Joseph’s sake…” (Genesis 39:2-6
NLT).
God makes his people A
BLESSING by making them PROSPEROUS (benefit) in ALL they DO. “…The Lord made all that he “did” to prosper in his hand…”
(Genesis 39:3 KJV).
The biggest issue with
God’s people, particularly, INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE, is HOLDING and MAINTAINING
their trust in and dependency upon God’s unchanging truth. “…I am the
Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “… “I
AM WHO I AM …”
(Exodus 3:14-15 NASB). “…
he remains faithful [INSIDE their STORMS], for he cannot deny who
he is…” (2
Timothy 2:13 NLT). “…The plans [God has]…for you…. [are]…plans to
prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you HOPE and a future”
(Jeremiah 29:11 NIV).
“For I know the thoughts that I think
toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not
of evil, to
give you an expected end”
(Jeremiah 29:11 KJV).
“…all things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE GOD, to them who are THE CALLED
to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV).
“…[You]…will receive NOW in return (in this life) a hundred times as many houses, brother, sisters, mothers, children, and
property…” (Mark
10:28-31 NLT).
“….If God is for us,
who [or what]... can be against us?”
(Romans 8:31 NIV).
God is the SAME in our days
PROSPERITY as he is in our STORMY DAYS. “…I am the
Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “..In the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity (STORMY
TRIALS) consider-- God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes
7:14 NASB).
Job asked an interesting question, “…Shall we
accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10 NIV).“... in the day of adversity (STORMY TRIALS)
consider-- God
has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB). “…I am the
Lord, I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV).
God is STILL God in
your days of prosperity and in your days of STORMY TRIALS. “..I
change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews
13:8 NIV).
Every day is MADE by
God. “...This is the day which the
LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...” (Psalm 118:24 KJV). “…“..In the
day of prosperity be happy, But in the
day of adversity (STORMS) consider-- God has made the one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes
7:14 NASB).
Therefore, in the days of prosperity or the days of
STORMY TRIALS God’s love NEVER changes. “…What then shall we say to these things? If God is for
us, who is against us?... …”(Romans
8:31-39 NASB).
“…...Who will separate us from the love of Christ? …”(Romans
8:31-39 NASB).
“…Will tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword …”(Romans
8:31-39 NASB).
“...[NO] …But in all these things
we overwhelmingly conquer
through Him
who loved us…”(Romans 8:31-39 NASB).
“…[Nothing]…will be able to separate us from the love of God,
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord…”(Romans
8:31-39 NASB).
Apostle Paul said: “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be
in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV).
In other words, God is
in control of our days, prosperous or adverse. We are to TRUST in him, DEPEND
upon him, and continually cooperate or follow his instruction no matter what
our days bring. “...This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it...”
(Psalm 118:24 KJV). “..In
the day of prosperity be happy, But in the day of adversity consider-- God has made the
one as well as the other…” (Ecclesiastes 7:14 NASB).
God’s people find their SECURITY in his IMMUTABLE nature. “..I
change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews
13:8 NIV).
God’s people find their
CONTENTMENT in him. “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. …”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “... I know
what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “I can do all
things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians
4:13 KJV).
God’s people find their
STABILITY in him. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and
forever (Hebrews 13:8 NIV). “…Your rock and Your
fortress, your deliverer, Your GOD, Your rock,
in whom [you can] … take refuge; Your
shield and
the horn of Your salvation, YOUR
stronghold.…" (Psalms 18:3 NASB).
God’s people find their
REFUGE and STRENGTH in him. “...God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).
“...O Lord, my strength. The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, ...my
strength, in whom I will trust ... so shall I be saved from mine enemies (my adversity)…”
(Psalms 18:1-3 KJV).
“...He
that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow
of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my
fortress: my God; in him will I trust...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
“...Surely he
shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler,
and from the noisome pestilence. He shall cover thee with his feathers, and
under his wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall
be thy shield
and buckler...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
“...Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror
by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day; Nor for the pestilence that
walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noonday. A
thousand shall fall at thy side, and ten thousand at thy right hand; but it
shall not come nigh thee. Only with thine eyes shalt thou behold and see the
reward of the wicked. Because thou hast
made the Lord,
which is my refuge,
even the most High, thy habitation...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
“...There
shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. For he shall give
his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their
hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion
and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
“...Because he hath set his love upon me,
therefore will I deliver him:
I will set him on high,
because he hath known my name. He shall call upon me, and I
will answer him: I will be with him in trouble;
I will deliver him,
and honour him. With long life will I satisfy him,
and shew him my salvation...” (Psalm 91 KJV).
In Job’s story, Satan
tried to PROVE that Job, like so many of God’s people, ONLY serve HIM for the days of prosperity
(EASE). “...Does Job fear God for nothing?” Satan
replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and
everything he has? You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks
and herds are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything
he has, and he will surely curse you to your face.” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).
However, Job PROVED the
enemy WRONG. In the days of adversity (STORMS) Job OPENLY
declared his attitude about his terrible losses or tragedies. “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?...”
(Job 2:10 NIV).
Job demonstrated that
God’s people continue to TRUST in and DEPEND upon God, whole heartedly, no
matter what they lose or gain.“…[They are
to] ...love the Lord [their] ...God
with all [their] ...heart and with all [their]... soul and with all your
strength and with all your mind…” (Luke 10:27 KJV).
In the “days of adversity (STORMS)” God’s people
are encouraged to remember first and foremost: “…Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he
does his own father, mother, wife,
children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple” (Luke
14:26 NLT).
“.. For everything in the world—the lust of
the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its
desires pass away, but whoever does
the will of God lives forever.”
(1 John 2:16-17 NLT).
In the “days of prosperity” it is important to
keep in mind, about earthly losses, that no matter how dear, intimate, or
valuable they are to you...continue choosing to TRUST in and DEPEND upon God. WHY?
“... I desire you more than anything on earth...” (Psalm 73:23-26
NLT). “….everything else
is worthless when compared with the
infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [my]… Lord...”
(Philippians 3:8 NLT). “...I ...belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading
me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but
you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My
health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the
strength of my heart; he is mine forever...” (Psalm 73:23-26 NLT). “...Whom have I in heaven but
thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. My
flesh and my heart faileth: but God is
the strength of my heart, and my
portion for ever...” (Psalm
73:25-26 KJV). “... I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you...” (Psalm 16:2 NLT).
In the “days of adversity (STORMS)” would
Satan be right in saying, “…strike everything he (she) has, and he(she) will surely curse you to your face?…” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).
Satan is your enemy, not God. “Be careful—watch
out for attacks from Satan, your great enemy. He prowls around like a
hungry, roaring lion, looking for some victim to tear apart” (1
Peter 5:8 NLT). “….everything else
is worthless when compared with the
infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus [our]… Lord...”
(Philippians 3:8 NLT). “...For his sake I have discarded
everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ...”
(Philippians 3:8 NLT).
Job went through
horrendous “days
of adversity (STORMY TRIALS).”
Yet, he said, “…The
Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of
the Lord.” Through all this Job did not sin nor did he
blame God...” Job 1:20-22 NASB). “... “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you...” (Psalm 16:2 NLT). NO
MATTER WHAT HAPPENS “God is [your] refuge
and strength, a
very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1 KJV).
GOD PURPOSELY CHOSE,
HIS FAITHFUL SERVANT JOB. HE KNEW, WITHOUT A DOUBT, JOB WOULD COME THROUGH THE
STORMS of HIS LIFE, TRIUMPHANTLY. “...In
the world ye shall have tribulation...”
(John 16:33 KJV). “... Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows..."
(John 16:44 NLT). “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...we must [go]...through much tribulation [to]...enter into the
kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
God said with confidence in
his SERVANT’S VICTORY: “…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? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although
thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause” (Job
2:3 KJV). Job said: “...though he slay me, yet will I trust in him…” (Job 13:15 KJV).
When Job’s earthly
wealth, prosperity, family, well-being, and possessions were gone, the devil
thought Job would SURELY stop trusting and depending upon God. “…a man's life consisteth not in the
abundance of the things which
he possesseth…”
(Romans 12:1 & Luke 12:15 KJV).
“... Every good thing I have comes from you...” (Psalm 16:2 NLT). Job said, “…Naked
I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord…” Job 1:20-22 NASB).
Job also said, “...though he slay me, yet
will I trust in him…”
(Job 13:15 KJV). “…Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God…”
(Job 1:20-22 NASB).
In spite of the things
and people he lost, INSIDE the STORM, Job remained “…blameless and upright, a man who fears God and
shuns evil…” (Job 1:7-12 NIV). “… [God]... knoweth the way that I take;
when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 KJV). “….The
proof of [my]…faith (trust and dependency upon God), being more precious than
gold that perisheth though it is proved by fire,
may be found unto praise and glory (his presence, his goodness, and his power)
and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1 Peter 1:7 ASV). “…Though
he slay me, yet will I trust in him…”
(Job 13:15 KJV).
INSIDE Job’s STORM, he experienced some the
greatest human losses imaginable, Yet, Job HUMBLED himself to God’s sovereignty
by continually trusting and depending upon him. “... yet not My will, but Yours be done..."
(Luke 22:42-43 NIV). “…If My people which are called by My name shall humble
themselves, …” (2 Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “...Humble
yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up...” (James 4:10 KJV). “...Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt
you in due time…” (1 Peter 5:6 KJV).
Job - whether he agreed or not, whether he
understood his tragedies or not - surrendered himself, inside the storm, to God.
“…. I know what it is to be in
need, and I know what it is to have plenty ...whether well fed or hungry,
whether living in plenty or in want… I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances...” Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). “…Be
content with what you have, because God has said “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you…” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV). “God is
[your] refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalms 46:1
KJV).
Apostle Paul said, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be
in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation,
whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want…”
Philippians 4:11-12 NIV). His secret,
“…I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.”
(Philippians 4:13 KJV).
Job HUMBLED himself and demonstrated a
DEEP respect for the SOVEREIGNTY of God over his life. “…Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him” (Psalms
115:3 NIV). “… [God]… does as he pleases (not mankind)
with the powers of heaven and
the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or
say to him: “What have you done?” (Daniel 4 NLT).
Job decided - whatever he lost or gained
and whatever the COST or CONSEQUENCES – may God’s sovereign WILL be done in HIS
life. “….All the days of my appointed
time will I wait, till my change come…”
(Job 14:14 KJV). “…If the Lord will, [I] shall live, and do this, or that...”
(James 4:16 KJV).
Even Jesus said, “…LEARN from me, for I am gentle and HUMBLE
in heart…” (Matthew 11:29 KJV). “…Christ …entrusted
himself to him who judges justly…” (1 Peter 2:20-23 NIV).
God is rightfully sovereign over the lives
of HIS PEOPLE, but HIS PEOPLE DO not always “choose” to relinquish
that sovereignty to HIM. “…But
my people would not listen to me.
They kept doing whatever they wanted, following
the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT).
Job’s story is NOT so much about HIS STORM,
but it was ABOUT who Job was, in his heart, INSIDE THE STORM. “...God sees
not
as man sees, for man looks at the
outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart…”(1 Samuel 16:7
NASB). God looks at the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4
KJV). It is“… from within, out of the heart of man, proceed
evil thoughts … [PRIDE] … these … come from within, and defile a person.”
(Mark 7:21-23 KJV).
The HEART “…is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked…who can know it
[except God?]…” (Jeremiah 17:9 KJV).
Even if you have been a Christian for years
and years, you will need to continually grow spiritually. “….there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth
not?” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV).\
It
is important that God’s people don’t become self-righteous, boastful about
religious prowess, or complacent about spiritual growth and development. “…do not think of yourself more highly than you
ought…” (Romans 12:3 NIV). “…
there is none good but one, that is, God” (Mark 10:18 KJV).
Job grew spiritually, INSIDE the STORM. He
developed a greater humility and a deeper respect for God’s sovereignty from
real-life experiences (his tragedies). “…Dear brothers and sisters …when your faith
(trust in and dependency upon God) is tested, your ENDURANCE has a chance to grow. So let
it grow...” (James 1:2-4 NLT).
God’s lessons, for Job, came through some
terrible losses or HIS STORM. Job accepted,“…everything he (God, the Holy Spirit) does is
right and all his ways are just. And
those who walk in pride he is able to humble...” (Daniel 4 NIV). Nonetheless,
“…Grow in the grace and knowledge or our LORD
and SAVIOUR Jesus Christ…” (2 Peter 3:18). “…God …predestined [you] to be
conformed to the image of his Son…” (Romans 8:29 NIV).
“One day when Job’s sons and daughters
were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came
to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby,
and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the
sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still
speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the
heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has
escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, another messenger came and
said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels
and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only
one who has escaped to tell you!” While he was still speaking, yet another
messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking
wine at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from
the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and
they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job
1:13-20 NIV).
Nonetheless, Job’s “…[heart cried out INSIDE HIS STORM (tragedies)] …if the Lord
will, [I] shall live,
and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV). “… [I will NOW]… live by
the faith
of the Son of God. …”
(Galatians 2:20 KJV).
He
said “..though he (God)
slay me, yet will I trust in him…”
(Job 13:15 KJV). Job said, “Naked I came
from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed
be the name of the Lord…” Job 1:20-22 NASB).
INSIDE the STORM or Job's tragedies, he continued to TRUST in and DEPEND upon God even when he lost his FAMLY, his WEALTH, and his HEALTH. Job humbly ENTRUSTED his whole LIFE and all his possessions to God!
It is NOT what is happening in the STORM, it is WHO "YOU" are "IN" the STORM
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