Worship through the Trials

Job Chapter 1 is a powerful and insightful chapter that has so much to chew on. First of all, how is satan in heaven with God? That was mind-blowing to me, and then why are they talking, almost negotiating, total plot twist. Yet I believe it to be true. Therefore, we did deeper into the story.

It's 3 verses that stick out, 6,12 & 21. I will reference the amplified Holy Bible. Job 1.6: Now there was a day when the sons of God (angels) came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan (adversary, accuser) also came among them. In my mind, God is not talking to satan, yet in this context it seems like satan plays a role for God, almost like he works for God; which makes sense; we all do.

Then the Lord said to satan, Job 1:12 "Behold all that Job has is in your power, only do not put your hand on the man himself" So satan departed from the presence of the Lord. God gave over dominion of one of His children over to the enemy with the instructions to only not touch his person. The only other thing the enemy did not steal was Job's wife. Matt:.19:4. But this shook me when I first read it because we are all taught that God is a loving protective Father, so why would He leave one of His beloved exposed and vulnerable. God explains that in the chapters 41 and on...

Job 1:21 He said, "Naked (without possessions) I came [into this world] from my mother's womb. And naked I will return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord." This is the crux of the chapter and the crux of this blog. To be able to worship through the suffering, that's the true testimony. As he said to his wife in the next chapter, "Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" Job 2:10. May we approach the challenges, tests and suffering that the Lord has measured up for our existence with worship and praise for the God that sent His disciples into a sea He knew would be troubled.

Yet, Jesus walked out there and saved them. Let's start this new year with a fresh new look at our trust and Faith in God truly being our "Shepherd". What does that entail? Total and complete trust. Child like trust. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct your path." Prov: 3:5-6