What God never told Job

The book of Job is, without question, one of the most interesting and enlightening books in the Bible.  It is, essentially, a handbook on trials and suffering.  It gives both the background information on what happens when we are tempted and tried, and shows how to and how not to respond as both the tested and the friend of the tested.  And, with the obvious exception of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, there is no other person in the Bible that provides a better character study on faith, struggles, temptations, etc., etc. than Job.  As one commentator put it, the book of Job does the best job of describing the Devil as the “accuser of the brethren”.  So, naturally, if you want to learn a few things about how to survive a fiery trial, Job is the first place to go.

Many things could be mentioned at this point, such as: the devil can’t do anything to you until he gets permission from God, God will not allow you to be tempted more than you can stand, you won’t ever, at any point in your life, know everything about your trial, and, if you are going through a trial, you might not want to tell your friends about it.  But, what interests me most is not what Job said, or what his friends said.  What interests me most about the story of Job was what was not said.  It contains one of the most dramatic and intense rebukes from God ever recorded.  In His rebuke to Job, God Almighty severely chastises Job for accusing Him of unfairness.  He corrects his ignorance of God’s loving care in the midst of our trials.  He asks Job in a most eloquent way to tell where he was when the earth was created and to describe the ways it is held together.  But, the reasons for Job’s trial are not ever mentioned.  They are not even alluded to.  God does not indicate in any way that He ever planned on telling Job why he was tested in such a way.  In fact at the end of the book, Job still has no idea why he went through that trial.  The message seems to be, “I am God, you are not.  I do what I want and I tell you what I want.  The fact that you don’t understand everything does not stop me from expecting you to have faith and trust in me.  I expect you to worship me in the good and in the bad.  And, asking why isn’t going to get you ANYWHERE.”

So, since “Why me” is always the question of the hour, it might behoove us to change course in the midst of our trials.  Look at past experience.  How many people do you know that have been through trials?  Many, no doubt.  How many of those know the reasons why they went through their trial?  Very few, no doubt.  So how do we respond?  The only way I know how to respond is to learn from the man himself, Job.  Don’t be quick to accuse a sovereign God of unfairness.  Don’t let your friends (or family) sway your emotions.  Worship God, even when you are hurting.  And, repeat these words as often as you need to: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in Him..”(Job 13:15), and “he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”(Job 23:10).

Spiritual Authority

My wife works at the cash office of Ross Clothing in downtown Seattle.  Her job requires her to count thousands of dollars and then take a deposit to the bank that has so much money, a policeman walks with her for protection.  One day she came home telling me this story:  She was on her way to the bank with her deposit, the experienced police officer walking  beside her.  There was a young man standing on the sidewalk they were walking down.  She said the policeman must have recognized him, or at least his type, because he just stopped and stared at the young man for a minute.  Sheree said she thought he must have been some sort of troublemaker, because the policeman looked right at the young man and said loudly, “Leave!”  The young man just stared for a few seconds.  When he didn’t move, the officer repeated louder, “I SAID LEAVE!”  With that, the young man turned and ran away never to be seen again.  Immediately, we both recognized the spiritual implications of this story.  You see, the picture painted with this incredible story was clearly Authority.  The police officer didn’t have to call for backup.  He didn’t have to pull his gun.  He didn’t have to flex his muscles, show off his badge, or tell how strong he was.  Everyone on the street recognized him as a man of authority.  What made the young man run away at the command of one word was the fact that he knew this man has power, strength, and the entire Seattle Police Force at his disposal, if necessary.  The officer knew he could walk with calm assurance and know that he has more than enough ability, and more than enough authority to do what needs to be done.  My wife’s boss asked the policeman what he would do in the event of trouble.  His response was, “Whatever it takes.”  My wife says it’s amazing how polite people are as they walk down the street together.  Everyone smiles and gives them a wide berth.  At first, Sheree said she was nervous knowing she would have to walk to the bank with so much money.  But now, she says she is totally calm knowing nothing is ever going to happen to her as long as her Authority stays with her.

I think you are getting the picture by now.  When the seventy came to Jesus from their preaching the gospel of the kingdom, they rejoiced that the devils were subject unto them through the name of Jesus Christ.  Jesus said, “I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven. Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.” (Luke 10:18-19).   We have authority through the name of Jesus.  We don’t have to flex our muscles, brag about our pedigree, or give our list of accomplishments in order to see God do great things through us.  We simply have to pray or speak it in faith in the name of the Lord Jesus, and it shall be done.  He wants to see us victorious over all the enemy’s devices.  And, this will happen when God’s people starting exercising Spiritual Authority in their prayer lives and in their walk with God.

A Pastor friend of mine was telling me about an experience he had.  He said he was sitting in his car by the water relaxing and trying not to let his troubles get to him.  All of a sudden, a car came screeching to a halt right beside him with a man in the driver’s seat.  Immediately afterwards, several police vehicles surrounded both vehicles and police officers jumped out of their cars with their guns drawn at the man in the car.  My friend said he was completely surrounded and couldn’t get out if he wanted to.  He even went on to say that one of the police cars was merely inches away from the back of his car.  It was at this moment that God spoke to him and said, “When your problems are close to you, remember, my Authority is always closer.”  Wow!  What a revelation!

“The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?” (Psalm 27:1a).  “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.”  (Romans 8:35, 37).

Walk in Jesus, pray in faith, and exercise the Spiritual Authority God has given you.

There is no “if” in Job 23:10

The subject of suffering seems to come and go.  But, it never really goes away.  It is, of course, directly affected by life’s ups and downs.  Right now, there seem to be many who are on the down side of things.  The housing market collapse, wall street, government bailouts, all of these have directly affected everyone.  I personally know of several churches and pastors whose finances have suffered greatly because of the economy.  What has been noticeably absent through this nationwide trial is the “Why me?” syndrome.  You know what I’m talking about, that feeling that God has singled you out, picked on you, unfairly put more on you than you thought He should.  This kind of feeling usually comes when you perceive yourself to be the only person in the fiery furnace.  Most are not alone in the furnace.  There are many others.  But, because they are facing customized trials and not shared burdens, everyone feels alone because of their specific persecution.  So, as a result of this nationwide crisis, most people know that they are not alone in their suffering.  They are facing what everyone else is facing.  For whatever reason, this seems to help people cope with their suffering.  They can’t blame themselves for this trial, the whole nation is going through it!  We know that whether we endure our problems alone, or with 300 million others, if we keep the faith, we will come forth shining.

So whatever happens from here on out, I want to always remember a little something God gave me.  In Job 23, Job, the classic example of enduring a fiery trial, says “But he (God) knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I will come forth as gold.“  And, the point is, as the title of this post says, there is no “if” in this verse.  It doesn’t say, “if he tries me...” it says “when he has tried me…“  There is no, “I might be tried…maybe I’ll be tested…”  You will be tried, you will be tested.  That’s not the big question.  The big question is, will you endure to the end?

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra and to Iconium and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God. (Acts 14:21-22).

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. (James 1:12).

But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matt. 24:13).