There’s not a person alive, (Christian or non-Christian) that’s not going through something, struggling at their job, with a person or with life in general. I was reading the book of Job yesterday and many know the story. Job was a man of faith and righteousness, there was none like him on earth but he went through tragedy. His family died and he lost all of his earthly wealth with both money and health. I read some interesting dialogue between God and Satan. Job 2:1-3 says,
1 Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD. 2 And the LORD said to Satan, “From where do you come?”
Satan answered the LORD and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”
3 Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil? And still he holds fast to his integrity, although you incited Me against him, to destroy him without cause.”
God was the one who pointed out Job. We are so quick to give Satan credit…for everything. Satan is not omnipresent or omniscient. He is not all knowing or all powerful. He only has the power given to Him by God. God saw a man that would be better because of a trial and allowed Satan to attack Him. It wasn’t a sick ego game or a selfish venture on behalf of God. It was God loving His child and knowing that He could give Job more than he had in the beginning and a life blessed even greater. Some of you may think, “It’s not worth it!”
Don’t believe the lie, God wanted to instill some things into Job that only a trial and tough circumstance was capable of doing. As much as we think we’ve got it together, God KNOWS what we need. Only God Knows. Casey and I were out with my parents last night and my mom was sharing how it took them 7 years to have my sister who is 2 years older than me. They tried everything to get pregnant and were run through every test at the time to try and find out. There was no luck and all systems were a go, however 7 years later they “randomly” got pregnant and “randomly” had 2 children in a little over 2 years.
I thought, “How much would my life have changed if I was 7 years older?” The answer: Everything would be different. I have a purpose as does my sister for why I exist right now and was born in 1982. Sure God used that trial to grow my parents but He also used that time to perfectly place my sister and I where He wanted us. It’s not about us, It’s about an Almighty God who knows everything, sees everything, loves everyone and pursues us. Your trial isn’t because God’s lazy, some of the trials we deserve the credit for because we brought them on through sin. Such as you are sick because you’re an alcoholic, you’re paying child support and are strapped for money because you chose to have sex outside of marriage or you made some bad financial decisions that you’re now paying for!
If God is your King and you live for Him rest in the peace of Romans 8:28,
28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Wake up daily and quote Proverbs 3:5-6,
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
God didn’t create you to fail, give-up, hate, envy, be jealous, a drunk, a drug-addict, a sexaholic, struggle with depression, hate your marriage, despise your children, etc. He made us to be in intimate, passionate relationship with Him. That’s what we’re created for, unfortunately we have to fight to keep that and grow in it. The worst feeling would be to go through the depths of hell on earth, look back and realize you were bitter, angry, resentful and harsh and when it’s over see that you moved backwards. God’s not a punk, He owns this place. You be you, allow Him to be your God.
