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May 24, 20205/24/2020 Today's Thought: Scripture: Job 1:20-22
Points: 1. Trust God beyond what he could see. 2. Understand that the affliction was permitted adversity. 3. Know that God would act on his behalf. What is an affliction? As defined in the NIV Quest Bible Dictionary, an affliction is defined as:
Point 1: Trust God beyond what he could see The book of Job on the surface appears to be a story about a man who undergoes several afflictions in the form of adversities despite his upright, righteous character. But what Job didn’t know was that he was about to get caught up in a “spiritual warfare” just like the “spiritual warfares” we get caught up in everyday. Job was about to be tested by Satan with God’s permission sound familiar! Now instead of looking at the situation, circumstance and problem Job would have to turn his focus on God. Often times when going through our afflictions and adversities, we forget to focus on Jesus! While we acknowledge the affliction and the adversity, we fail to “gird up our loins” and put on our spiritual warfare outfit that full armor of God found in Ephesians 6:10-17 that enables us to stand up against the devil’s schemes. If God allowed his own son to be tempted and tested (Matthew 4:1-11), why should we as God’s children be exempt! Just know when going through the fiery trial, we have to trust God and look beyond what we see. Point 2: Understand that the affliction was permitted adversity. Job’s human mind couldn’t understand what was happening nor comprehend why it was happening. Job’s flesh questioned God and doubted the outcome but his deliverance was guaranteed with God just as ours is! It wasn’t for Job to understand the adversities he was facing. What Job didn’t know was that God and Satan had engaged in a heavenly debate. The result would be Job’s afflictions being permitted adversities at the hand of Satan with God’s permission and God’s limitations. God was about to interrupt up Job’s world like never before just like God interrupts our world like never before. Yet, in all of this, God is seeking our heart (Ephesians 3:16-20) and God is showing us mercy (Psalm 103: 1- 4). I want you to understand that there is a limit to our adversities and that it is God who is working in and through the adversity to bring it to an end according to His timetable and deliverance is guaranteed! Point 3: Know that God would act on his behalf Isn’t it good to know that the dark periods of suffering are limited trials and tribulations. These adversities will only last as long as it is necessary for God to accomplish His purpose in us after which God will eventually provide a way of escape. (I Corinthian 10:13) On our part we have to continue to trust God and resist the devil for this too shall pass! Job finally realized that he was no match for God because God’s power and wisdom was too awesome for Job! This all became a humbling experience for Job, an enriching wake up call! He had endured a prolonged period of suffering yet Job walked by faith and not by sight seeing whole picture. He had to focus on God. We have to focus on God. He is our help (Psalm 42:5) and our salvation (Psalm 62:2). God acted on Job’s behalf blessing him even more abundantly than what he had before. In Conclusion, Job had to learn to trust God beyond what he could see. He had to understand that the affliction was permitted adversity and he had to know that God would act on his behalf. Afflictions may arise but deliverance is guaranteed so don’t give up on God ! (Psalm 34: 15-19) Being confident of this, that he who begun a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Jesus Christ. (Philipians 1:6)
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