INSIDE THE STORMS: JOB LEANS ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS OF THE GOD THE HOLY SPIRIT
“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).
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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, or LEANING ON HIS EVERLASTING ARMS, 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).
Remember when God took Israel through the wilderness (trials) for forty years? 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).
Some of God’s people have walked with God for many, many years, but continue to live as THEY CHOOSE in MANY areas of their life. “…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).
“…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).
Job, humbly, concluded he had NO control over the STORMS of LIFE. He also, humbly, concluded he could NOT CHOOSE the OUTCOME of his STORMS. Job entrusted himself and HIS STORM, to God, with the right attitude. 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).
The book of Job is a prime example of how God’s people go through horrendous STORMS in LIFE or trials and tribulations. The child of God is encouraged to continue to whole heartedly serve God, to trust in HIM, to depend upon him, and they will come through it ALL with 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 already a faithful, devoted servant of God who openly trusted and depended upon HIM. “…perfect and upright and one that feareth God and escheweth evil…” Yet, he went through horrendous and unimaginable losses (Job 1:1 KJV).
In fact, 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).
Job’s losses and pain, INSIDE the STORM, was unbearable to read about, but he miraculously endured them without blaming God. “...In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God” (Job 1:22 KJV).
At first glance, it seems what happened to Job was unfair and without purpose. It is not unusual to question God’s love and wisdom during the STORMS of LIFE. “...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).
Eventually, even Job had questions as a reaction to his being INSIDE his horrible STORM. “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).
Job’s losses didn’t make sense to him and he couldn’t find adequate or justifiable answers. INSIDE the STORM, Job had questions about why, these tragedies, had happened to HIM. Elihu suggested Job ask 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).
When going through “...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).
Mankind is finite and looking for answers in finite man is often pointless. “...For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself...”(Galatians 6:3 KJV). Job’s friends had their opinion about HIS STORM and accused him of some secret sin. Job thought HIS STORM was about something wrong he done too. “...[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).
God has the sovereign right to do what he wants with our lives whether we like it or not. “…If the Lord will, [I] shall live, and do this, or that...” (James 4:16 KJV).
God’s people belong to him. When the sovereignty of God is realized and his people finally surrender to the fact that God is in control, they will humbly agree, “…it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it...” (Romans 9:14-16 NLT).
Elihu did speak a profound truth to Job INSIDE HIS STORM. 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).
Christ went through a hard time upon earth too. This experience was HIS STORM. “…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.
We are to follow in Christ’s footsteps, INSIDE the STORMS of LIFE, because we live in a FALLEN world and trials or sorrows will be a part of the human experience. “…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). “...despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us...” (Romans 8:37 NLT).
The bible 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).
INSIDE his STORM, Job developed a deeper level of holy humility and a greater respect for God’s sovereignty. “...Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3 KJV). “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” (Job 42:3 NLT).
INSIDE his STORM, Job also developed a more profound revelation knowledge of who God, the Holy Spirit, really was. “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (Job 42:5 KJV).
God also corrected Job, by pruning him, through Elihu. “…Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job...” (Job 33:1-10 KJV).
It took going INSIDE a STORM to further impart Job’s spiritual growth and development. The STORM further humbled Job, empowered him with a greater respect for God’s sovereignty, and gave him a greater revelation knowledge of God, the Holy Spirit, he never had before.
Job’s questioning, the finite God, about his being INSIDE the STORM through his tragedies, whether intentional or unintentional, was nonetheless a provocation to God’s sovereignty. “..So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes. Then was kindled the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite, of the kindred of Ram: against Job was his wrath kindled, because he justified himself rather than God. Also against his three friends was his wrath kindled, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job…” (Job 33:1-10 KJV).
Humility is the best response to the omniscient, sovereign will of God and his wisdom of putting HIS PEOPLE “INSIDE” the STORMS of LIFE. “..Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind...” (Job 38: 2 KJV). “... Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?...” (Job 38:2 NLT).
We learn, in the story of Job, to trust God’s sovereignty WHEN we don’t understand, BECAUSE we don’t understand, and SINCE our understanding is finite at best. “…I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not” (Job 42:3 KJV).
God challenged Job on his finiteness in comparison to his infiniteness. God said to Job: “...Where wast thou when I laid the foundations of the earth? declare, if thou hast understanding. Who hath laid the measures thereof, if thou knowest? or who hath stretched the line upon it? Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or who laid the corner stone thereof; When the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy? Or who shut up the sea with doors, when it brake forth, as if it had issued out of the womb? When I made the cloud the garment thereof, and thick darkness a swaddling band for it, And brake up for it my decreed place, and set bars and doors, And said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no further: and here shall thy proud waves be stayed?...” (Job 38:4-11 KJV). “...yet not My will, but Yours be done..." (Luke 22:42-43 NIV).
GOD IS YOUR DWELLING PLACE OF SAFETY AND HE UPHOLDS HIS PEOPLE WITH HIS EVERLASTING ARMS WHEN THEY CHOOSE TO WILLINGLY TRUST HIM.
HE SENT HIS WORD TO DESTROY "ALL" THE WORKS OF THE ENEMY AND HIS PEOPLE WIN THE VICTORY.
SURRENDER TO HIS WILL AND TRUST HIM WITH THE BATTLE!
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