INSIDE THE STORM: JOB’S TRAGEDIES AND VICTORY
“...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).
*
SCRIPTURE(S): “...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).
PURPOSE OR GOAL OF LESSON: TO LEARN
THAT YOUR LIFE BELONGS TO GOD AND IT CAN CHANGE IN A BLINK OF AN EYE. IF GOD
ALLOWS YOU TO GO INSIDE A STORM. HE WILL ALSO ALLOW YOU TO COME OUT OF IT.
APPLICATION OF LESSON: TO STAND IN THE FACE
OF LOSS, WHATEVER IT MAY BE, AND KNOW THAT FOLLOWING GOD IS OFTEN VERY COSTLY.
WHEN IT BECOMES COSTLY, CHOOSE TO TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON GOD IN SPITE OF IT
ALL.
TOPIC DISCUSSION: DISCUSS HOW A PANDEMIC OF
TRAGEDIES CAN TURN OUT TO BE AN OVERWHELMING VICTORY IN GOD’S HAND. 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). Continual and ongoing spiritual growth and
development opens your life up to INFINITE possibilities!! “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with
God…” (Luke 18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing
too hard for me?”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS
ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). Therefore, INSIDE your
STORMS, “… [May God] … grant you,
according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…May the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his
will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…May the God of
peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep …work in us what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…For it
is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). INSIDE the
STORM, trusting in and depending upon God,
the Holy Spirit, will become a WAY of life. “...[We, God’s people]...
are given ... exceeding great and precious promises: that by these
ye might be partakers (participants) of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to
knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things
be in you, and abound …[you
will be fruitful in] the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (2
Peter 1: 4-9 KJV). No matter how much you THINK you’ve grown in the Lord, it is
important to remember God is a God of correction. “...If you are not disciplined – and everyone
undergoes discipline – then you are not legitimate, not true sons and
daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV). “….For whom the Lord loveth he CORRECTETH…”
(Proverbs 3:12 KJV). “…Those
who walk in pride he is able to humble...” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…that we might be partakers of his holiness….”
(Hebrews 12:10 KJV). As WONDERFUL of a SERVANT as Job was, he still had
room to grow spiritually. “…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). Even Jesus
spoke about his STORMS of LIFE and how they helped him learned obedience. “..Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things he suffered
(HIS STORMS)…” (Hebrews 5:8 KJV). . “…The faithful followers of the Lord … keep their promises even when it hurts…”
(Psalm 15:4 NLT). Jesus
understood he did “…not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…The ...
works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me...” (John
5:36 KJV). He became “…a ransom for
many...[by humbly surrendering]…
himself [to God’s sovereign will]... and bec[oming] obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross...” (Matthew 20:28 & Philippians 2:8 KJV). “…I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV). “ … [INSIDE THE
STORM and]... in the days of his flesh, when he (Jesus) had offered up prayers
and supplications with strong crying and
tears unto him that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that
he feared; Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which
he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation
unto all them that obey him;…” (Hebrew 5:7-8-9 KJV). “...Therefore, since
Christ suffered in his flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude,
because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin…” (1
Peter 4:1 NIV). “… He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them and knelt
down and prayed, "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me;
yet not My will,
but Yours be done..." (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). God HELPS his
people INSIDE their STORMS. “…It is
God who WORKS IN YOU…” (Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…the Father that
dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). In like manner, Job GAVE his life over to God’s sovereign
will. NOBODY likes to be INSIDE the STORMS, of any kind, but God, out of his
kindness, REWARDS his people for their faithful service. “...No chastening (STORMS) for the present
seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable FRUIT of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby...” (Hebrews
12:11 KJV). “… [God allows STORMS]…for our profit, that [his people] might be partakers
(participants) of his holiness...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV). God
is not so concerned about what is actually happening TO his people,
INSIDE the STORM, as much as he is concerned about what is happening IN his
people. God cares about their heart. “…The LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “….[It is] from WITHIN, out of a person’s
heart, come evil thoughts … wickedness, deceit, … pride, and
foolishness. All
these vile things come from WITHIN;
they are what defile you…” (Mark 7:20-23 NLT). God SEES the “…hidden
man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “…No one needed… to tell him about human nature, for he knew
what was in each person’s heart…”
(John 2:24-25 NLT). “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know everything I do…” (Psalms
139:1-6 NLT).
JOB’S PANDEMIC OF TRAGEDIES
1.
THOUGH GOD ALLOWED A PANDEMIC OF
TRADEGIES INTO JOB’S LIFE, WHAT DID HE DECIDED TO DO ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO
GOD? HE DECIDED TO CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD.
“...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). IS FOLLOWING GOD A WILLFUL AND VOLUNTARY
CHOICE? YES. WHY OR WHY NOT? THE BIBLE TELLS HIS PEOPLE TO CHOOSE WHOM THEY WANT TO SERVE.
“...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). IS FOLLOWING GOD
A PERSONAL COMMITMENT? YES. WHY OR WHY NOT? BECAUSE GOD’S PEOPLE MAKE THEIR OWN DECISIONS TO BE FAITHFUL
TO GOD AND THE COVENANT RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM. “...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). WILL
FOLLOWING GOD REQUIRE A SACRIFICE OF SELF? YES.
WHY OR WHY NOT. GOD’S PEOPLE HAVE TO WILLFULLY GIVE-UP
THEIR HUMAN WILL IN ORDER TO DO GOD’S WILL. “…‘[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). WHAT
DID JESUS SAY ABOUT HIS COMMITMENT TO GOD’S WILL IN THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURE
VERSE? HE SAID HE WILLINGLY LAID DOWN HIS LIFE. 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). WAS JESUS A
LIVING SACRIFICE? YES. WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE LAY
DOWN THEIR LIVES, LIKE JESUS DID, IT IS THEIR “REASONABLE SERVICE?” YES. WHAT DOES “REASONABLE SERVICE” MEAN? IT IS A SERVICE OFFERED TO GOD THAT WOULD BE EQUITABLE, FAIR,
JUST, AND THE LEAST A PERSON COULD DO FOR HIM CONSIDER “ALL” THAT HE HAS DONE
FOR THEM. Jesus offered his earthen vessel as a “…living sacrifice…” which is “…[also God’s people’s] … reasonable service…”
(Romans 12:1 KJV). “…The LORD has done
great things for us …” (Psalms 126:3 NIV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
2.
DOES FOLLOWING GOD MEAN YOU WON’T HAVE TRIBULATIONS
OR STORMS IN YOUR LIFE? NO. WHY OR WHY NOT? THE BIBLE TELLS GOD’S PEOPLE THEY’LL HAVE TRIBULATION. “...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).
“...we
must [go]...through much tribulation
[to]...enter into the kingdom of God...” (Acts 14:22
KJV). WHAT ELSE DOES THE BIBLE TELL GOD’S PEOPLE ABOUT TRIBULATIONS? THE
BIBLE SAYS NOT TO LET THEIR HEARTS BE TROUBLE, BECAUSE IN SPITE OF THEIR
TRIBULATIONS THEY WILL BE VICTORIOUS THROUGH CHRIST. “...Let not your heart be troubled, neither let
it be afraid...” (John 14:27 KJV). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). SINCE GOD’S PEOPLE ARE
PROMISED “OVERWHELMING VICTORY” WHAT SHOULD THEY CHOOSE NOT TO DO? THEY
SHOULD CHOOSE “NOT” TO “GIVE UP.” “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “…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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3.
HOW DID LAZARUS HAVE “OVERWHELMING
VICTORY” OVER THE RICH MAN? THE RICH MAN HAD TEMPORARY
WEALTH WHILE UPON EARTH, BUT LAZARUS HAD ETERNAL WEALTH IN ETERNITY. “…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). ARE GOD’S PEOPLE BLESSED AND
FAVORED EVEN WHEN THEY ARE “IN” TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS? YES, GOD CONTINUALLY SURROUNDS
THEM WITH BLESSING AND FAVOR, EVEN IN TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS.
“… [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). AS
A CHILD OF GOD, ARE YOU A BLESSING? YES, YOU BECOME A
BLESSING. “…I will BLESS
thee …and thou
shalt be a BLESSING…”
(Genesis 12:2-3 KJV). SINCE GOD’S PEOPLE BECOME “THE
BLESSING” WHAT HAPPENS TO THE ENVIRONMENTS AND LIVES OF PEOPLE GOD PLACES THEM
INTO OR WITH? GOD BLESSES THOSE ENVIRONMENTS AND PEOPLE FOR “HIS” PEOPLES SAKE. “…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).
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4.
WHAT MAKES GOD’S PEOPLE BECOME SUCH A BLESSING THEY
CHANGE THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE LIVES OF THE PEOPLE AROUND THEM? THE PRESENCE OF
GOD, THROUGH THE INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT, IS “WITH” THEM.
“…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). WHY ARE GOD’S PEOPLE BLESSED? BECAUSE OF GOD’S INDWELLING PRESENCE, HIS GOODNESS, AND HIS
WORKING POWER.
“….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). WHY DOES THE BIBLE SAY POTIPHER’S, THE
EGYPTIAN, HOUSE WAS BLESSED? IT WAS BLESSED FOR JOSEPH,
GOD’S SERVANT, SAKE. “….the Lord blessed the
Egyptian’s house for
Joseph’s sake…” (Genesis 39:2-6
NLT). NAME A WAY GOD MAKES HIS PEOPLE BECOME A BLESSING TO
THE ENVIRONMENT AND OTHER PEOPLES LIVES. BY MAKING THEM
PROPEROUS IN “ALL” THEY DO (BIG OR SMALL).
“…The Lord made all that he “did” to prosper in his hand…”
(Genesis 39:3 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5.
WHEN GOING THROUGH TRIBULATIONS OR THE STORMS OF
LIFE, THE ENVIRONMENT MAY CHANGE, BUT WILL “NEVER” CHANGE? GOD WILL “NEVER” CHANGE. HE WILL BE THE SAME THROUGH IT ALL. “…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). IF GOD ALLOWS
HIS PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH TRIBULATIONS OR THE STORMS OF LIFE, DOES HE HAVE A
PLAN FOR THEM? YES, HE DOES. “…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 THE THINGS THAT HAPPEN, DURING
TRIBULATIONS OR THE STORMS OF LIFE ARE “NOT” GOOD OR GOOD EXPERIENCES, BUT WHAT
WILL GOD DO WITH ALL THOSE EXPERIENCES. HE WILL CAUSE
THOSE EXPERIENCES TO WORK TOGETHER “FOR”
GOOD. “…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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
6.
DOES GOD ALLOW DAYS OF ADVERSITY
TO COME INTO THE LIVES OF HIS PEOPLE? YES, HE DOES.
“…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). WHAT QUESTION DID
JOB ASK ABOUT DAYS OF ADVERSITY? HE ASKED SHOULD GOD’S
PEOPLE ONLY ACCEPT GOOD DAYS FROM GOD AND NOT DAYS OF ADVERSITY. “…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). IN DAYS OF
ADVERSITY, WHAT DO GOD’S PEOPLE OFTEN FORGET? THEY OFTEN
FORGET THAT GOD DOES NOT CHANGE, BECAUSE THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE. “..I change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6
KJV). “Jesus Christ is the same
yesterday and today and forever
(Hebrews 13:8 NIV). WHICH DAYS DO GOD MAKE OR ALLOW;
PROSPEROUS DAYS, DAYS OF ADVERSITY, OR BOTH? GOD MAKES OR
ALLOWS BOTH TYPES OF DAY. “...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). WHICHEVER DAY THE
LORD MAKES OR ALLOWS WILL HE CONTINUE TO BE “FOR” HIS PEOPLE AND LOVE THEM
DEEPLY? YES, HE WILL. “…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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7.
WHEN APOSTLE PAUL WENT THROUGH DAYS OF ADVERSITY,
WHAT WAS HIS “SECRET” FOR BEING CONTENT IN WHATEVER CIRCUMSTANCES HE
EXPERIENCED? HE LEARNED TO BE CONTENT, BECAUSE HE
TRUSTED IN AND DEPENDED UPON GOD, THROUGH CHRIST, TO GIVE HIM THE STRENGTH TO
ENDURE. “…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). “...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).“I can do all things through Christ which
strengtheneth me.” (Philippians 4:13 KJV). WHERE
WAS THE SECURITY OF APOSTLE PAUL’S CONTENT ANCHORED? IT
WAS ANCHORED IN THE IMMUTABLE NATURE OF GOD, WHO “NEVER” CHANGES, EVEN WHEN THE
CIRCUMSTANCES CHANGE. “..I
change NOT…” (Malachi 3:6 KJV). “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). IN THE FOLLOWING
SCRIPTURES WHAT TWO THINGS CAN GOD’S PEOPLE FROM IN HIM? REFUGE AND STRENGTH. “...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). NOT
ONLY WILL GOD BECOME THE REFUGE AND STRENGTH FOR HIS PEOPLE, HE WILL ALSO DO
WHAT? HE WILL DELIVER THEM OUT OF THEIR DAYS OF
ADVERSITY.
“...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). WHY DOES GOD
ENCOURAGE HIS PEOPLE “NOT” TO BE AFRAID, DURING DAYS OF ADVERSITY? BECAUSE HE IS THEIR REFUGE. HE WILL WATCH OVER THEM AND KEEP
THEM. HE WILL BE WITH THEM IN TROUBLE AND WILL DELIVER THEM.“...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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8.
WHAT DID THE ENEMY WANT TO PROVE, ABOUT JOB, BY
CREATING ADVERSITY? HE WANTED TO PROVE THAT JOB WAS
“ONLY” SERVING GOD FOR THE DAY OF PROSPERITY AND 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). WHAT
WAS JOB’S ATTITUDE ABOUT HIS DAYS OF ADVERSITY? JOB
LOVED GOD WITH ALL HIS HEART, NO MATTER WHAT HE LOST OR GAINED. “…Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?...”
(Job 2:10 NIV). “…[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 ORDER TO BECOME GOD’S DISCIPLES OR
LIVING SACRIFICES WHAT HAVE DO THEY HAVE TO BE WILLING TO GIVE UP TO FOLLOW
HIM? EVERYTHING. “…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). NO MATTER HOW DEAR AND VALUABLE
THINGS OR PEOPLE ARE TO YOU, IN DAYS OF LOSS AND ADVERSITY, WHAT DO GOD’S
PEOPLE CONTINUE TO DO? THEY CONTINUE TO TRUST IN AND
DEPEND UPON GOD, THE HOLY SPIRIT. “...
I desire you more than anything on earth...” (Psalm 73:23-26
NLT). “….everything else
(THINGS & PEOPLE) 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
DAYS OF ADVERSITY OR THE STORMS OF LIFE; HAVE YOU REMAINED FAITHFUL AND
COMMITMENT TO GOD OR HAVE YOU ABANDONED HIM? (YOUR
PERSONAL ANSWER). “…strike everything he (she) has, and he(she) will surely curse you to your face?…” (Job 1:7-12 NIV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
9.
WHO IS YOUR ENEMY GOD OR THE DEVIL? THE DEVIL IS YOUR ENEMY. “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 A HORRENDOUS PANDEMIC OF LOSSES, BUT WHO
HE BLAME GOD? NO, HE DIDN’T BLAME GOD. “…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. WHAT DID HE KNOW ABOUT, HIS 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). IF GOD HAS ALLOWED OR IS
ALLOWING YOU TO GO THROUGH TRIBULATIONS OR A STORM OF LIFE, WHAT DOES HE KNOW ABOUT
YOU? HE KNEWS YOU WILL ALSO COME THROUGH WITH OVERWHELMING 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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
10. WHEN JOB’S
EARTHLY WEALTH, PROSPERITY, FAMILY, WELL-BEING, AND POSSESSIONS WERE LOST, WHAT
TRUTH DID JOB STAND UPON? JOB KNEW HIS LIFE WAS NOT
ABOUT WHAT HE POSSESSED IN MATERIALS THINGS OR PEOPLE. HE KNEW EVERYTHING HE
HAD CAME FROM GOD ANYWAY. THE LORD HAS THE RIGHT TO GIVE US THINGS AND PEOPLE
TO STEWARD, FOR A WHILE, AND HE HAS THE RIGHT TO TAKE BACK “HIS” THINGS OR
PEOPLE. “…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 KNEW HE WAS A
STEWARD OF “ALL” THAT HE POSSESSED. WHAT WAS HIS ATTITUDE? EVEN THOUGH IT
UTTERLY BROKE HIS HEART, HE WOULD CONTINUE TO TRUST HIM. SO HE DID NOT DO WRONG
OR BLAME GOD. “...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). WHAT KIND OF MAN WAS JOB “BEFORE” HIS
TRIBULATIONS AND STORM OF LIFE? THE BIBLE SAID HE WAS
AN UPRIGHT MAN, WHO REVERED GOD AND AVOIDED EVIL.
“…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). JOB ENCOUNTERED SOME “HORRIBLE” LOSSES.
WHAT DID HE HAVE TO DO IN ORDER TO CONTINUE TO TRUST IN AND DEPEND UPON GOD? HE HAD TO HUMBLE HIMSELF TO GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL. “...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). “... 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). WHEN YOU GO THROUGH TRIBULATIONS OR THE STORMS
OF LIFE, DO YOU HAVE TO AGREE WITH WHAT’S HAPPENING? NO.
WHAT ATTITUDE MAY BE MOST HELPFUL? TO BE CONTENT, BY
TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON GOD, WHO WILL NEVER LEAVE OR FORSAKE YOU. “…. 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 can do
all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” (Philippians
4:13 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
11. WHEN GOD’S PEOPLE
HUMBLE THEMSELVES BEFORE GOD WHAT DOES IT DEMONSTRATE? IT
DEMONSTRATES A DEEP RESPECT FOR GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY IN THEIR INDIVIDUAL LIVES. “…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). WHATEVER
JOB LOST OR GAINED, WHAT DID HE DECIDE ABOUT GOD’S SOVEREIGN WILL IN HIS LIFE? HE DECIDE TO “WAIT” UNTIL HIS CHANGE CAME. “….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). HOW WAS JOB SIMILAR TO JESUS? THEY BOTH HUMBLE THEMSELVES BEFORE GOD. 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 HAS A SOVEREIGN RIGHT TO BE THE “LORD” OF HIS PEOPLE,
BUT WHAT DO SOME OF THEM CHOOSE TO DO? THEY CHOOSE
“NOT” TO LISTEN TO HIM AND DO WHATEVER THEY WANT. “…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). GOD WANTS YOU TO
LIVE RIGHTEOUS, BUT MORE THAN YOUR ACTIONS HE IS ALSO LOOKING AT WHAT? YOUR HEART.
“...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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
12.
EVEN IF YOU THINK YOU’VE BEEN AN UPRIGHT MAN OR WOMAN
FOR YEARS, WHAT MUST YOU “NEVER” FORGET? THERE IS NOT A
JUST MAN OR WOMAN ON EARTH THAT DOES GOOD AND DON’T SIN. “….there is not a just man upon earth,
that doeth good, and sinneth not?” (Ecclesiastes 7:20 KJV). WHY IS,
ECCLESIASTES 7:20 IMPORTANT TO KNOW? SO AN UPRIGHT MAN
OR WOMAN WON’T BEGIN TO THINK TOO HIGHLY OF THEMSELVES.“…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). WHY DID GOD ALLOW AN UPRIGHT MAN
LIKE JOB TO BE TESTED LIKE HE DID? BECAUSE JOB’S FAITH
STILL NEEDED TO GROW SPIRITUALLY.“…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). WHEN
GOD ALLOWS HIS PEOPLE TO GO THROUGH TRIBULATIONS AND THE STORMS OF LIFE IS HE
DOING THE RIGHT THING FOR THEM? YES, HE IS. “…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). “…Grow
in the grace and knowledge of 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). JOB WAS
HEARTBROKEN, HE WAS SAD, IT WAS PAINFUL, AND IT WAS HARD, BUT HE RELIQUISHED
HIS WILL TO GOD’S WHAT? TO GOD’S WILL FOR HIS LIFE. 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).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JOB’S
OVERWHELMING VICTORY
13. Once you mature
in christ, why is it important to know you have “not” arrived where god wants
you to be in your spiritual growth and development? God
has so much more prepared for his people and he has so much more to do with
their lives; beyond what they can ask or think. “But as it is written: “Eye hath not seen,
nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED for those who love Him…”
(1 Corinthians 2:9 KJV). “…The things which are impossible with men are possible with God…” (Luke
18:27 KJV). “….I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: is there any thing
too hard for me?”
(Jeremiah 32:27 KJV). “…NOW UNTO HIM THAT IS
ABLE to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…”
(Ephesians 3:20 KJV). WHAT CAN A MATURE CHILD OF GOD
LEARN OR PRACTICE DURING TRIBULATIONS OR THE STORMS OF LIFE? THEY CAN LEARN OR PRACTICE, DURING TRIBULATIONS OR STORMS, TO
BE STRENGTHEN BY GOD’S INDWELLING HOLY SPIRIT.
“… [May God] … grant you,
according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man…”
(Ephesians 3:16 KJV). “…May the God of peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep, equip you with everything good for doing his
will…” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…May the God of
peace, … that great Shepherd of the sheep …work in us what
is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV). “…For it
is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure…” (Philippians 2:13 KJV). WHAT CAN THE
MATURE CHILD OF GOD “GAIN,” DURING THE TRIBULATIONS OR STORMS OF LIFE, BY
TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON THE HOLY SPIRIT? THEY GROW
MORE HOLY LIKE GOD. THEY BECOME MORE DILIGENT, BUILT FAITH, GAIN REVELATION
KNOWLEDGE, GROW IN PATIENCE AND GODLINESS, AND PRACTICE BROTHERLY KINDNESS. “...[We,
God’s people]... are given ... exceeding great and precious promises: that by
these ye might be partakers (participants) of the divine nature,
having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this,
giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to
knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;
And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things
be in you, and abound …[you
will be fruitful in] the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ…” (2
Peter 1: 4-9 KJV). EVEN THOUGH A CHILD OF GOD HAS MATURED IN CHRIST, WHY WILL
GOD CONTINUAL TO ALLOW TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS TO CORRECT HIS PEOPLE? FOR THE PURPOSE OF DISCIPLINE AND HUMILITY AND BECAUSE HE
DEEPLY LOVES THEM. “...If you are not disciplined – and everyone undergoes discipline – then
you are not
legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all” (Hebrews 12:8 NIV).
“….For whom the Lord
loveth he CORRECTETH…” (Proverbs 3:12 KJV).
“…Those who walk in pride he is able to humble...” (Daniel 4 NIV). “…that we might be partakers of his
holiness….” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV). EVEN THOUGH JOB WAS
A MATURE MAN AND SERVANT OF GOD, DID GOD ALLOWED HIM TO BE TESTED? YES, HE DID. “…Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there
is none like him in the earth, a perfect (mature) 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 (utterly test me), yet will I trust in him…” (Job
13:15 KJV). “...It was
BY FAITH
that ABRAHAM
OFFERED UP ISAAC as a sacrifice when God was testing him...” (Hebrews 11 NLT).
“…Dear brothers and sisters …when
your faith is tested
.... let it grow….”
(James 1:2-4 NLT). “… God
left him, to try him (test him) that he might know all that was in his heart…”
(2 Chronicles 32:31 KJV). “…My brethren ….the testing of your faith produces ... that you may be perfect
(mature) and complete, lacking nothing….”
(James 1:2-4 KJV). “…Therefore, LET US PRESS ON TO MATURITY…”
(Hebrews 6:1 NASB). “… [God] knoweth the way that I take; when he hath tried me (tested me), I
shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10 KJV). “….The proof of
[my]…faith, being more precious than gold that perisheth though it is proved (tested) by
fire, may
be found unto praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ:” 1
Peter 1:7 ASV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
14. WHAT DID JESUS
SAY HE LEARNED DURING THE TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS HE SUFFERED THROUGH UPON
EARTH? JESUS LEARNED TO OBEY AND KEEP GOD’S
COMMANDMENTS. “..Though he were a Son, yet learned
he obedience by the things he suffered (HIS STORMS)…” (Hebrews 5:8
KJV). . “…The faithful followers of the Lord … keep their promises even when it hurts…”
(Psalm 15:4 NLT). Jesus
understood he did “…not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His
life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28 KJV). “…The ...
works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father has sent me...” (John
5:36 KJV). He became “…a ransom for
many...[by humbly surrendering]…
himself [to God’s sovereign will]... and bec[oming] obedient unto death, even
the death of the cross...” (Matthew 20:28 & Philippians 2:8 KJV). “…I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will but the will of him that sent me...” (John 6:38 KJV). WHAT EMOTIONAL
FEELINGS DID JESUS EXPERIENCE, DURING HIS TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS? HE PRAYED. HE CRIED. HE WAS AFRAID. HE WANTED GOD TO TAKE HIS
TROUBLES AWAY. “ … [INSIDE THE STORM and]... in the days
of his flesh, when he (Jesus) had offered up prayers and supplications with strong crying and tears unto him
that was able to save him from death, and was heard in that he feared; Though
he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And
being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them
that obey him;…” (Hebrew 5:7-9 KJV). “...Therefore, since Christ
suffered in his flesh, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever
suffers in the body is done with sin…” (1 Peter 4:1 NIV). “…
He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them and knelt down and prayed,
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but
Yours be done..." (Luke 22:42-43 NIV). HOW DOES GOD
EMPOWER HIS PEOPLE, DURING THE TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS IN LIFE? HE DWELLS WITHIN THEM AND EMPOWERS THEM TO ENDURE. “…Now God (the indwelling
Holy Spirit) GIVES US many kinds of special abilities, but it is the same HOLY SPIRIT who is the SOURCE of them all …it is the same God who does the work IN and THROUGH all of us who are his. The HOLY SPIRIT DISPLAYS God’s power THROUGH each of us … It
is the … Holy Spirit who gives all these gifts and POWERS…
(1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT). “…It is God who
WORKS IN YOU…”
(Philippians 2:13 NIV). “…the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works…”
(John 14:10 KJV). WHAT IS THE REWARD OF TRUSTING AND DEPENDING UPON GOD,
DURING A TRIBULATION OR STORM? YOU WILL BE REWARDED
WITH LIVING A PEACEFUL LIFE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS. “...No chastening (STORMS) for
the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable FRUIT of
righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby...” (Hebrews
12:11 KJV). “… [God allows STORMS]…for our profit, that [his people] might be partakers
(participants) of his holiness...” (Hebrews 12:10 KJV).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
15. GOD DOESN’T CARE,
AS MUCH, ABOUT WHAT IS HAPPENING “TO” HIS PEOPLE AS HE DOES ABOUT WHAT’S
HAPPENING “WITHIN” HIS PEOPLE. WHAT IS GOD LOOKING AT FIRST AND FORESMOST,
DURING THE TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS OF HIS PEOPLE? GOD IS LOOKING AT THEIR HEARTS. “…The LORD LOOKS AT THE
HEART…” (1 Samuel 16:7 NASB). “….[It is] from WITHIN, out of a person’s
heart, come evil thoughts … wickedness, deceit, … pride, and
foolishness. All
these vile things come from WITHIN;
they are what defile you…” (Mark 7:20-23 NLT). CAN
GOD SEE ALL THE DEEP, SECRET THOUGHTS AND INTENTIONS OF YOUR HEART? YES, HE CAN. God
SEES the “…hidden man of the heart…” (1 Peter 3:4 KJV). “…No one needed… to tell him about human nature,
for he knew what was in each person’s heart…”
(John 2:24-25 NLT). “O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know everything I do…” (Psalms
139:1-6 NLT). WHEN GOD ALLOWED ISRAEL TO GO THROUGH A
WILDERNESS OF TESTING FOR FORTY YEARS, HE WANTED THEM TO “SEE” FOR THEMSELVES
WHAT WAS IN THEIR “OWN” HEARTS. WHAT WAS GOD LOOKING AND HOPING TO FIND IN
THEIR HEARTS DURING THIS TEST? A HEART OF OBEDIENCE.
He
did it to humble them, test them, to see if they would keep his commandments or
not, and so “they” would “….know what
was in [their OWN]…heart…” (Deuteronomy 8:2 KJV). WHAT DID SOME OF
GOD’S “OWN” PEOPLE CHOOSE TO DO IN MANY AREAS OF THEIR LIVES? THEY CHOSE NOT TO LISTEN TO GOD AND DID WHATEVER THEY WANTED. “…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). “But the people replied, “Don’t
waste your breath. We will continue
to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires”
(JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT). WHAT WARNING DID GOD GIVE HIS
PEOPLE ABOUT FOLLOWING THEIR OWN WAYS VERSES FOLLOWING GOD’S COMMANDMENTS? HE URGED THEM TO TURN FROM THEIR WICKED WAYS, BECOME HOLY, AND
ALLOW HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO BECOME GREATER WHILE THE FLESH GROWS WEAKER. “…If
My people which are called by My name shall humble themselves, and pray and
seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways…” (2
Chronicles 7:14 KJV). “…Be holy, because I am holy…” (1 Peter 1:16 KJV). “...He must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less”
(John 3:30 NLT). “...We will
continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil
desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).
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- JOB HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE PANDEMIC OF TRADEGIES IN HIS LIFE. HE ALSO COULD NOT CONTROL THE OUTCOME. SO WHAT DID JOB DECIDED TO DO WHILE IN HIS TRIBULATIONS OR STORM? HE DECIDED TO TRUST AND DEPEND UPON GOD. JOB said “..though he (God) slay me (test 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). JOB IS A GREAT EXAMPLE OF HOW GOD’S PEOPLE GO THROUGH HORRENDOUS TRIBULATIONS AND STORMS, AND INSPITE OF THEM ALL, WHAT DOES JOB DEMONSTRATE GOD’S PEOPLE SHOULD CONTINUE TO DO? THEY SHOULD CONTINUE TO TRUST GOD, DON’T GIVE UP, AND EXPECT OVERWHELMING VICTORY. “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT). “…That is why we never give up ... our present troubles are small and won’t last very long...” (2 Corinthians 4:16-17 NLT). JOB WAS A MATURE AND UPRIGHT MAN OF GOD, BUT DID THAT EXEMPT HIM FROM GO THROUGH TROUBLES? NO. Job was “…perfect and upright and one that feareth God and escheweth evil…” Yet, he went through horrendous and unimaginable losses (Job 1:1 KJV).
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17. DID
GOD ALLOW JOB TO GO THROUGH HIS TRIBULATION OR STORM EXPERIENCE? YES. HAD JOB DID SOMETHING WRONG TO MAKE GOD ALLOW
HIS EXPERIENCE? NO, GOD ALLOWED IT WITHOUT ANY PARTICULAR
REASONS. God allowed or permitted him to go INSIDE the STORM (experience
tragedies) and “without cause.” “...And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou
considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect
(spiritually mature) and an upright man, although
thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without
cause...” (Job 2:3 KJV). THOUGH GOD ALLOWED JOB’S TRAGICE EXPERIENCES,
DID HE EVER BLAME GOD FOR THEM? NO, HE DID NOT. “...In all
of this, Job did
not sin by blaming God” (Job
1:22 KJV). DID IT SEEM UNFAIR THAT GOD ALLOWED JOB
TO GO THROUGH SUCH A HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE? YES, IT DID.
HAVE OTHERS QUESTIONED GOD’S JUSTICE AND CONCERN DURING
TRAGIC EXPERIENCES? YES THEY HAVE. “...And he was in
the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say
unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38 KJV). People ask, all the
time, “how can God be loving when he
allows or permits such horrible things?” “…although
thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without
cause” (Job 2:3 KJV). DID
JOB HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT HIS HORRIBLE EXPERIENCES? YES,
HE DID. “Why died I not from the womb? why did I not give up the ghost when I came out of the
belly?” (Job
3:11 KJV). “...I know it is so of a truth: but how should man be
just with God?...” (Job 9:2 KJV). “...If a man die, shall he live again?
...all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come” (Job
14:14 KJV). IN THE MIDST OF JOB’S QUESTIONS, GOD SENT A WORD THROUGH ELIHU. WHAT
DID ELIHU SUGGEST JOB DO ABOUT HIS QUESTIONS? HE TOLD
HIM TO SEEK GOD. “…I would
seek unto God, and unto
God would I commit my cause…” (Job 5:9 KJV). Wise men always sought
God (Matthew 1:1-12). “...Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually...” (1 Chronicles
16:11 KJV). “… those
that seek me
early shall find me” (Proverbs 8:17 KJV). “…seek, and
ye shall find… (Matthew 7:7-8 KJV). “The LORD [is] good …to the soul [that] seeketh him…” (Lamentations
3:25 KJV).
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18. WHEN GOING THE
TROUBLE EXPERIENCES WHO SHOULD YOU CERTAINLY CALL UPON? CALL UPON GOD. “...call upon [God]… in the day of
trouble: [He] will deliver [you]…”
(Psalms 50:15 KJV). “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near…”
(Isaiah 55:6-7 KJV). “Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto
the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will
abundantly pardon”
(Isaiah 44:6-7 KJV). WHY CAN’T YOU ALWAYS FIND ANSWERS
OR PUT YOUR CONFIDENCE IN MANKIND? BECAUSE MANKIND IS
FINITE AND DON’T ALWAYS HAVE THE ANSWERS YOU NEED. “...For if a man think himself to be something,
when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself...”(Galatians 6:3 KJV). “...[It is] better to trust in the LORD than
to put confidence in man...” (Psalms 118:9 KJV). “...Are [Job and his friends]… saying, then,
that God was unfair? Of course [he’s]…not! For God said to Moses, “I will show mercy to anyone I
choose, and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”
So it is God
who decides
to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...”
(Romans 9:14-16 NLT). “…If the Lord will, [I] shall live, and do this, or that...”
(James 4:16 KJV). ELIHU DIRECTED JOB TO SEEK GOD. WHAT
OTHER PROFOUND TRUTH DID ELIHU SPEAK? HE LET JOB KNOW THERE WAS NOT A PERFECTLY JUST HU-MAN UPON
EARTH AND NONE WAS SO RIGHTEOUS HE OR SHE DIDN’T NEED GOD’S CORRECTON OR
DISCIPLINE. He said: “Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my
speeches, and hearken to all my words. Behold, now I have opened my mouth, my
tongue hath spoken in my mouth. My words shall be of the uprightness of my
heart: and my lips shall utter knowledge clearly. The spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath
given me life. If thou canst answer me, set thy words in order before me,
stand up. Behold, I am according to thy
wish in God's stead: I also am formed out of the clay. Behold, my terror
shall not make thee afraid, neither shall my hand be heavy upon thee. Surely
thou hast spoken in mine hearing, and I have heard the voice of thy words,
saying, I am clean without
transgression, I am innocent; neither is there iniquity in me. Behold, he
findeth occasions against me, he counteth me for his enemy, He putteth my feet
in the stocks, he marketh all my paths. Behold, in this thou art not just: I will answer thee,
that God is greater than man. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of
his matters” (Job 33:1-9 KJV). “For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he
deceiveth himself...” (Galatians 6:3 KJV).
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19. DID GOD SPARE
JESUS FROM SUFFERING THROUGH TROUBLED EXPERIENCES? No.
why or why not? Jesus was meant to be an example for
god’s people when they also suffered through troubles. “…Christ … suffered for us, leaving us an
example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV). God “…spared not his own Son,
[from going through A STORM,] but delivered him up for us all….?” (Romans 8:32 KJV). CHRIST WAS LITERALLY BEATEN AND CRUCIFIED DURING
HIS TROUBLE TIMES. GOD’S PEOPLE LIVE IN A FALLEN WORLD, WILL TROUBLE
EXPERIENCES BE A PART OF THEIR LIVES UPON EARTH? YES, THEY WILL. “…Christ … suffered for
us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps…” (1 Peter 2:21 KJV).“...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). WILL GOD’S PEOPLE COME THROUGH TROUBLE EXPERIENCES WITH VICTORY?
YES, OVERWHELMING VICTORY. “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved
us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT), The bible DOES NOT SAY “ALL THINGS” ARE GOOD, but it says, “…all things work together for GOOD to them that LOVE [God, the Holy Spirit], to them
who are THE
CALLED (or chosen) to his purpose” (Romans 8:28 KJV). Satan “…intended to harm [Job, INSIDE THE STORM],
but God intended
it for ...[his]...good...” Genesis 50:20 NIV).
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20. WHAT STARTED JOB’S
TROUBLING EXPERIENCES? ALL HIS CHILDREN DIED TRAGICALLY
HE LOST ALL HIS WEALTH, AND HIS HEALTH AT THE SAME TIME.“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). “…Satan….smote Job with boils from
the sole of his feet unto his crown…” (Job 2:7 KJV). WHAT
JOB SAD, HEARTBROKEN, AND SORROWFUL? YES. WHAT
DID HIS WIFE TELL HIM TO DO? CURSE GOD. DID JOB
LISTEN TO HIS WIFE? NO. WHAT DID HE DO INSTEAD? HE BLESSED THE NAME OF THE LORD.“...Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head (ancient Near East behavior
for sadness, grief, or sorrow)…” (Job
1:20-22 NASB). Job’s wife even said, “…Doest
thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God and die…” (Job 2:9 KJV). “But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one
of the foolish women speakest. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God,
and shall not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.”
(Job 2:10 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).
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). WHEN JOB SURRENDERED TO GOD’S WILL AND
WHAT HE’D ALLOWED IN HIS LIFE, WHAT DID HE DO ABOUT HIS ATTITUDE TOWARD GOD’S
SOVEREIGNTY? HE REPENTED.
“...Then Job replied
to the Lord: “I know that you can
do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my
wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew
nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will
speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had
only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and
ashes to
show my repentance...” (Job 42:1-6 NLT). HOW DID GOD REWARD JOB FOR HIS FAITHFULNESS AND OBEDIENCE? HE RESTORED ALL THAT HE’D LOST AND MORE. “…the Lord restored his fortunes…” (Job 42:10 NLT). “…So
the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: … So Job
died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV). “...he (God,
the Holy Spirit)...hath done marvellous
things…” ( Psalms 98:1 KJV). “… Many, O Lord my God, are thy wonderful works which thou hast
done …” (Psalms 40:5 KJV). WHAT KIND OF VICTORY DID JOB RECEIVE? OVERWHELMING VICTORY. “…The Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before …The
Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: ….After this lived Job an hundred and
forty years, and saw his sons and his sons’ sons, even four generations. So Job
died, being old, and FULL of days...” (Job 42:12-17 KJV).“...overwhelming victory is ours ...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
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