Job's Lessons In Trust: Times of Testing

Job's Lessons In Trust: Times Of Testing

Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Eschew means to "avoid, shun, abstain from, keep away from." Here we see a God-fearing (Proverbs 8:13; 16:6 and Job 28:28), upright (saved, righteous) man that sought to please the Lord in his life. He was perfect (meaning "spiritually mature"), and kept himself away from evil. He also strove to ensure that his children didn't forsake the Lord. (See verse 5) Yet, as the story goes on to relate, Job undergoes a tremendous time of testing - all because of his steadfast walk with the Lord!

Job 1:6-12 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not Thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.

Job 2:1-7 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. And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered My servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst Me against him, to destroy him without cause. And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. But put forth Thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse Thee to Thy face. And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life. So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.

Satan, jealous of this godly servant, desires to afflict and test him and his commitment to the Lord. He wanted to see if Job would really serve the Lord if all he had was taken away. Even so, Satan could not break through the hedge about Job, his family, and his possessions unless the Lord allowed him to. (See also Isaiah 5:1-7, especially verse 5 regarding the hedge about God's vineyard, the nation of Israel.)

While Job did not know why these afflictions were happening to him, we can see the whole picture in hindsight. God inspired one of His holy prophets (possibly Elihu - see Job 32:16 and 2 Peter 1:21) to write this portion of Scripture for us. There are many lessons we can learn from Job, but the one I want to emphasize today is: Satan has to get permission for all the tests and trials he desires to afflict upon the children of God. If it is not in God's perfect will for our lives, it will not happen. And inasmuch as God allows any trials from Satan, they are in His sovereign will, and He will work it all out according to the plan He has for each of us. (See Romans 8:28-29)

I don't remember the exact quote, but Martin Luther made a comment about the devil being God's dog, on God's leash. He can only go so far as the Lord allows him to go. We may not understand why God allows certain things to happen to us, but we can know that it is all according to His perfect plan for our lives, and that all that happens to us is caused or allowed by Him.

Another example of the Devil desiring to test God's children is found in the New Testament. In this particular instance it was all the Apostles that he wanted to sift. (Notice the word "you", which is always plural in the King James Bible. "Thou" is singular, and we can see that Jesus prayed specifically for Peter to be restored after he denied the Lord.)

Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.

Again, we see that the Devil had to get permission to sift (test or afflict grievously) these Christians.

Are you trusting the Lord? Do you believe that God is in control, even in the times of trial? Do you believe that He only allows into your life what is in His perfect will for you? These Bible examples are for us to learn by. (See Romans 15:4) Our Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. Let's put our trust in Him - even when we can't see the larger picture, and let's learn from the example of Job.

Like A River Glorious
(Lyrics:Frances Havergal)

Like a river glorious, is God s perfect peace,
Over all victorious, in its bright increase;
Perfect, yet it floweth, fuller every day,
Perfect, yet it groweth, deeper all the way.

Chorus:
Stayed upon Jehovah, hearts are fully blest
Finding, as He promised, perfect peace and rest.

Hidden in the hollow of His blessed hand,
Never foe can follow, never traitor stand;
Not a surge of worry, not a shade of care,
Not a blast of hurry, touch the spirit there.

Every joy or trial falleth from above,
Traced upon our dial by the Sun of Love;
We may trust Him fully all for us to do.
They who trust Him wholly find Him wholly true.

August 19th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

The Fire On The Altar

The Fire On The Altar

Susannah Wesley, mother of John and Charles Wesley, once said, "Whatever weakens your reason, impairs the tenderness of your conscience, obscures your sense of God, or removes your desire for spiritual things - that is sin to you."

Leviticus 6:12-13 And the fire upon the altar shall be burning in it; it shall not be put out: and the priest shall burn wood on it every morning, and lay the burnt offering in order upon it; and he shall burn thereon the fat of the peace offerings. The fire shall ever be burning upon the altar; it shall never go out.

According to the New Testament, true believers in Jesus Christ are referred to as priests. (See 1 Peter 2:9) As such we need to always keep the fire of devotion to the Lord burning on the altar of their hearts and not become lukewarm or cold.

Revelation 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.

Matthew 24:12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Is the fire burning hot on the altar of your heart, or are the embers glowing dim? It is a proven spiritual principle that allowing sin and compromise to dominate in your life will cool your fervour for the Lord Jesus Christ and the things of God.

One passage that has greatly helped me in my service to the Lord has been 2 Timothy 1:6-8:

2 Timothy 1:6 Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands.

In the above verse, "stir up" means "to bring the fire to life again." We are to use our spiritual gifts - not just keep them on the shelf (in a manner of speaking). The Holy Spirit has divided these gifts among the believers in each local church to edify the body of Christ and to equip them for service. (See 1 Corinthians 12:1, 7, 11 and Ephesians 4:11-16)

2 Timothy 1:7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Fear does not come from God - except for the fear of the Lord! The word for "fear" in this passage means "dread; timidity." If I am cowardly and timid in my service and witnessing, then I know I am not submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit; I am not filled with (controlled or influenced by) His Holy Spirit, but am in fact controlled by my flesh or fear caused by Satan. We should never let either of these dictate whether we will be faithful to the Lord or not; whether we will be a witness or not. Some other related verses that have also strengthened me and helped me fight the battle when I am tempted to be timid are: Proverbs 29:25 and 28:1, as well as 1 John 4:18.

What has Jesus Christ given me instead of fear? His power for witnessing (Acts 1:8), His love for the lost (Romans 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:14), and a "sound mind" (notice temperance in Galatians 5:22-23). A "sound mind" means "discipline; self-control." The Holy Spirit gives me the power and ability to resist the fear and the self-control to do the service He requires of me.

Because of the gifts, strength (2 Corinthians 12:9-10), grace (1 Peter 5:5 and 2 Corinthians 9:8), power, love, and sound mind the Lord has given us, we have all we need day by day as we strive to serve Him.

The Apostle Paul goes on to say this:

2 Timothy 1:8 Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God.

Jeremiah 20:9 Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay.

"...A sense of the Redeemer's preciousness makes the Christian useful, for that which is much in the heart will soon creep up to the tongue, and the testimony of the heart is a notable method of spreading the gospel. If thou lovest Christ much, thou will speak about him... Thus, telling out, with a burning heart, the things which he has made touching the King, others will hear the good news, and they will ask, 'Who is this Precious One?' and they will, by God's good Spirit, be led to seek him and find him too. So, the Christian valuing Christ will come to be useful to the souls of men...." - Charles Spurgeon.

Fervency is the fire on the altar of your heart that burns the incense of prayer and sends the sweet-smelling savour up to God. - A phrase I coined, loosely based on a statement I had heard but could not quite remember.

"The preacher with fire in his bones does not only await an opportunity; he makes one. He must preach!" - John R. Rice.

The Altar Is Empty

The altar is empty -
The sacrifice has walked away.
The heart's gone cold -
Where's the willingness to pray?

Something is wrong, it shouldn't be,
No peace within, convicting me!

Chorus:
Kindle my heart, stir into a flame.
Restore my soul, as I call on Your name.
Oh Lord above, grant me the grace
To deny myself and put Your will in its place.

The altar is empty -
There are no prayers offered today.
The heart's lukewarm -
Where's the desire to pray?

The field is white, but no reaping done,
No hearts breaking, pleading for God's Son.

Chorus

The field is empty -
Where are the labourers today?
Those faithful servants
Standing in the gap to pray?

Oh hear God's voice, His Spirit's call;
Repent, you watchmen, upon the wall.

Chorus

Quicken my heart, in Jesus' name,
Cleanse me from my sin - bring to life again.
Send me, oh Lord, and I will go -
Go and tell the world Jesus loves them so.

Devotional and song written July 29th, 2004
Jerry Bouey

For a related devotional:
The Song Of The Altar

What Is Your Response To The Word Of God?

What Is Your Response To The Word Of God?

Was reflecting on a certain passage of Scripture, and thought how much I strived to be like the Bereans of old. I hope that is your desire also.

Consider how believers during Bible times regarded the Word of God:

1) Acts 17:11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Received the Word with all readiness of mind.

This implies a willingness to hear, a willingness to listen attentively when the Word of God is being preached or taught.

Searched the Scriptures daily.

Searched is Strong's #350, and means "properly, to scrutinize, i.e. (by implication) investigate, interrogate, determine:--ask, question, discern, examine, judge, search." In other words, these Bereans took all that was presented to them and put it under the searchlight of the Scriptures. They were discerning of all that was taught; accepted what was clearly in alignment with God's Word, and rejected what contradicted it. This is in accordance with the following passages: 1 Thessalonians 5:20-22 (prophesying here means preaching); Romans 12:9; 1 Corinthians 14:29; 1 John 4:1-3.

2) 1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.

Received the Word of God as God's Word, and not man's.

The first word for received here is Strong's #3880, which means "to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by analogy, to assume an office; figuratively, to learn:--receive, take (unto, with)." In other words, these believers in Thessalonica embraced the Word of God whenever it was preached. They believed it was God's very own Word - not man's - given from Him to them. As such, they received it personally and held it close to their hearts. To get an idea of the intimacy involved in these believers receiving of the Word of God, consider that this is the same Greek word that Jesus used in John 14:3, when He said He would come again to receive us unto Himself.

When we value the Word as much as these early Christians did, then it can do the effectual work the Lord intended it to do in our hearts and lives.

3) Ezra 7:6 This Ezra went up from Babylon; and he was a ready scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the king granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him.

Was a ready scribe in the Scriptures.

The word ready is Strong's #4106, and means "quick; hence, skilful:--diligent, hasty, ready." Ezra was a mature (perfect) believer who diligently studied the Scriptures. He spent time in the Word of God, and knew it. Unfortunately, the average professing believer today does not. Are you more like Ezra or like some of the Hebrew and Corinthian believers? See Hebrews 5:11-14 and 1 Corinthians 3:1-3.

1 Peter 2:2 As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

4) Ezra 7:10 For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.

Prepared his heart to seek God's Word.

What Ezra learned from God, he passed on to others. Notice this verse says he prepared his heart. That means he took the time necessary to maintain his walk with the Lord, and that he was looking to see what God would teach him from His Word. The word seek is #1875, which means "properly, to tread or frequent; usually to follow (for pursuit or search); by implication, to seek or ask; specifically to worship." He frequently pursued the Word of God, diligently, fervently, reverently read and studied it - not like many of us do today when we quickly strive to read our three (or however many) chapters as quickly as we can. Ezra came to God's Word, in a worshipful manner, expecting to get something from the Lord. Do we do the same? Do we come to God's Word in a reverent spirit, expecting the Holy Spirit to teach us, to show us something of Christ in each passage we read? Or are we just marking our chapters as read and then moving on to other things?

Is your heart prepared to seek the Lord and His Word? Contrast Ezra's attitude with that of King Rehoboam's:

2 Chronicles 12:14 And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD.

Matthew 13:52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old.

5) James 1:22-25 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Be ye doers of the Word.

Do you come to the Word of God with a heart that is determined to obey what the Holy Spirit teaches you? If not, over time, you will lose what you have learned and find that you are not getting much out of the Scriptures.

Mark 4:24-25 And he said unto them, Take heed what ye hear: with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you: and unto you that hear shall more be given. For he that hath, to him shall be given: and he that hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he hath.

If you come to the Scriptures and find that they are dry and boring - the problem is with your heart and life, not His Word. Sin will hinder God's Word in our lives, but repenting and forsaking those sins will quicken us and cause the Word to become a source of rest and refreshing to us again.

If you read and study the Bible with an attitude of submission, you will learn and be taught of God, your faith will grow and your walk will be strengthened.

2 Peter 3:18 But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

Matthew 11:29-30 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

What is your attitude to the Word of God? Do you reverently read it and study it, with an intent to obey and pass on what you have learned to others - or do you flippantly or casually read your allotted portion without much thought or consideration? When you hear the Scriptures being taught or preached, do you willingly focus on the message and consider how it fits in with the rest of the Word of God, do you carefully discern what is being taught? What is your response to the Bible, the Word of God?

February 17th, 2005
Jerry Bouey