Job

I know my Redeemer lives

Bad things do happen to good people, but every time something serious happens to a good person the critics question their credibility. This is especially true if the person in question is a follower of Jesus Christ. Even fellow Christians who should know better are often the first ones jumping to a negative conclusion.I am here to urge you not to feel guilty if you are a Christian and going through tough times. It is not uncommon for God to order the suffering of an individual to prove to the adversary that he is upright and steadfast.

Maybe you have lost your job, your house is being foreclose, your credit cards are maxed out, the bills are piling up, and there is no end in sight. Regardless of your troubles hold on to God’s unchanging hand. Your current situation might be a test from God.

The Bible tells us about a man in the Land of Uz, named Job. (Read Job 1:1) Job was a man of substance, who was perfect and upright. He was a righteous man who feared God. He never did anything wrong, yet he suffered. Job lost everything he possessed, including his ten children. Further, he was stricken with a skin disease. His wife and some of his friends were adamant that his suffering was punishment from God. They encouraged him to curse God and die.

But Job was not a wishy-washy man of God. His faith was unshakable. The Bible says, in all his suffering, Job sinned not nor charged God foolishly. Job knew his earthly possession, including his family were gifts from God. After the death of his sons, he remarked, “Naked I came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Job did not know his suffering was a test from God. However, he was confident he had not offended God. Therefore, he was certain that one day God would vindicate him when he stands before the Judgement Seat. Hence, he declared: “For I know that my redeemer lives and that he shall stand at the latter-day upon the earth” (Job 19:2 5).

In the end, God vindicated Job. His health returned, God blessed him with much more wealth than he ever had. His wife gave birth to ten more kids, and he lived for one hundred forty years afterwards. God rewarded Job for his faithfulness, and he will do the same for you and I.

The closer I come to God the more He reveals

The Christian walk is not just a test of one’s commitment to endure trials and tribulation. It is also a learning curve. The further we travel and the closer we draw to God, the better equip we are to handle unexpected situations. However, perfecting the walk with God does not depend on years of service, or even how knowledgeable and bright we are. It has more to do with the relationship we have with God. The closer we are to God, the more He reveals those things which we would not normally understand.

One of the most fascinating and exciting aspects of walking with Jesus is when He brings us new insights, and deeper understanding of His Word. It is like unexpectedly finding a large golden nugget.

There are certain passages of Scripture that we may have read for years, but have not yet grasped their fullest meaning. In any given moment, the Holy Spirit can open our spiritual eyes to see something in those passages that have never seen before. For example, I have read James 1:2-4 (“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, and sisters when you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops patience. Patience must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything”.) many times, but I have never fully understood how anyone could rejoice in suffering.

However, after reading “Why does God discipline us”? At http://watermyflowerslord.wordpress.com/ I finally understand what James meant. Sometimes suffering happens for discipline and correction. We also know that sometimes God allowed suffering to prove a point, as in the case of Job. God was confident that Job was steadfast in his faith, and it did not matter what the devil threw at Job he would not falter.

So my brothers and sisters, the next time you encounter trials and suffering, count it all joy, because you may never know whether your suffering is for discipline and correction, or God is just showing off on the devil about your steadfastness.

Still, “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it” (Hebrews 12:11). Therefore, God has a reward waiting for you at the end of your suffering. He restored Job’s fortune twofold.