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