Day 137

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Job's Affliction

Job Introduction

The book of Job examines one of life's most perplexing questions. It introduces a pious man of God named Job, who lived perhaps 4,000 years ago (about 2000 BC). In a sudden series of catastrophes, Job loses his family, fame, fortune, and fitness. For thirty-five chapters he searches his soul and debates with his best friends to find a reason for his misfortune. After exhausting the conventional wisdom of his counselors, Job is confronted by God himself, and his demanding "Why" melts into humble worship.

Scripture

May 16—Job 1-3: Job's Affliction and Grief

Observation

Job, a wealthy, God-fearing family man and rancher living in the land of Uz during the days of the patriarchs, becomes the focus of a heavenly conversation between God and Satan. Held up as a model of godly devotion and worship, Job's faithfulness is attacked by Satan as the product of Job's financial prosperity. "But just introduce a good dose of adversity," Satan accuses, "and Job's commitment will dissolve into cursing." Overnight, Job loses his health, wealth, family, and fame. But through it all he steadfastly acknowledges God's sovereign right to give blessings and to take them away as he sees fit.

Application

How deep is your commitment to God? Do you worship him because it is the socially acceptable thing to do? Because he has prospered you materially? Because the rest of your family follows him? Because by doing so you hope to gain long life and good health?

What would happen if suddenly God put you through a Job-like experience? A shattered romance, broken health, death of a loved one, financial reversal, loss of a job, disastrous fire, etc. Job's faith was severely tested in a furnace of adversity, not to ruin him but to refine him. Though Job was short on explanation in trying to come to grips with the why of his ordeal, he was long on trust in the who—the One who had every right to give and withhold blessing. "The Lord gave me everything I had, and they were his to take away. Blessed be the name of the Lord" (1:21).

Has God recently removed a blessing from your life? Think back to the time he first gave it to you. How did you respond then? Make that the pattern for the he first gave it to you. How did you respond then? Make that the pattern for the way you respond now! In God's strength Job did precisely that; so can you.

Prayer

Dear God, use my troubles to let me consider my ways, bring me back to praying and fix my eyes on You as Job did during his affliction. In Jesus name! Amen!

Keep your Eyes Fixed on God!



© Odessa Mathis about my Father's business! 2020

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