The Bible says in Philippians 4:4 "Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice". This is a secret of having Dominion and the presence of God. The Bible says God inhabits the praises of His children (Ps. 22:3). We should not in hard times translate that scripture to "Complain and cry to the Lord alway; and again I say, Complain and cry".
Let us study some interesting responses of Job in his trying times.
1. Job 1:20-21
"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and worshipped, and said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord"
I mean Job had just lost all except his life and wife. The news came in series, tail to head from Chapter 1 vs 13, yet when they had finished, all he could do was to fall down in humility and submission to God and worship, not complain, query or cry. I covet the faith and devotion of Job.
2. Job 2:9-10
"Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? Curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips".
Even when the tides were against Job and he knew God was all sufficient and could save him if he wanted, he still defended God when his wife advised him to curse God and die. If only we can stand strong on God's side even in the storms of life without complaining, murmuring or backsliding, God will show us His power to save beyond measure.
3. Job 9:32-33
"For He is not a man, as I am, that I should answer Him, and we should come together in judgment. Neither is there any days-man (or umpire) betwixt us, that might lay his hand upon us both"
In his trials, Job acknowledged that God is still supreme and cannot be questioned or judged. He understood that God's ultimate thought towards us is good and not evil, to give us an expected end (Jer. 29:11), and so there was no point accusing God for keeping silent in those times, for he knew God is alive and will make his 'tomorrow' alright.
4. Job 13:15
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before Him"
This is my favorite and it is very deep, but self explanatory. Such faith!
5. Job 19:25-27
"For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me"
Wow! Job was ready to trust God even till death. Here he talks about his hope of being saved from this body and seeing God. He even talks of Jesus, the redeemer, who shall stand at the latter day, the end of time (1Thes.4:16).
Beloved, I want to trust God with everything I have and I am. I know you feel the same way too, let us make up our minds together to love and trust God in good times and in bad times too, knowing that our God cannot lie.
God bless you.
Ikpa Onwuka
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