New Year, New Hope

New Year, New Hope

Talkin’ Turkey

By Trisha Sharp

02 January 2020

The purpose of the Book of Job, is to show the unfathomable wisdom of God’s providence, and the benevolence of God even in the trials brought upon His children. It also explains why God allows righteous people to suffer. Suffering exposes frailty and sinfulness, to strengthen faith and to purify the sinner. The spiritual perspective of the account and the fact that God exercised complete control over Satan promotes total trust in God.

Job’s friends relentlessly accused him of committing some unpardonable sin. Although he questioned God’s actions during these onslaughts, it should not be assumed that his queries were motivated by a resentful, self-seeking attitude. Instead, they confirm his determination to hold on to his faith in God despite the circumstances that providence had brought upon him.

Job was described as perfect, upright, fearing God, and eschewing evil. He had ten children, many livestock, and a great household. He was the greatest of all men in the east. He was the priest of his family, and he acted accordingly. Job was tested by the presence of Satan when the sons of God presented themselves before the Lord. Satan questioned God’s protection of Job and said that Job was only fearful of God because of His protection and Blessings given to Job. Satan challenged God to remove His protection and Blessings. Satan believed that Job would curse God without them. God gave Satan the power to do anything he wanted to all that Job had, but not to harm Job’s person. Therefore, Job pretty much lost everything by the power of Satan. God did not allow this to happen to prove Satan wrong, but to strengthen and purify Job’s faith in God.

Job’s livestock was stolen. His servants slain. Only one was spared to bring the message of this loss to Job. Another brought a message of Job’s children having died in the collapse of a house belonging to one of his sons. Job still worshipped God and did not sin. Job was tested again by Satan’s challenge to the Lord concerning Job’s health. Again, God permitted Satan to do what he wanted provided that he not cause Job’s death. Satan struck Job with boils from the top of his head to the bottoms of his feet. He still remained strong in his faith of the Lord, even when his wife and friends questioned his integrity.

Yes, Job complained to God. He question why he even existed. He struggled to determine the cause of his afflictions. Job was rebuked by his friend Eliphaz, who was convinced that Job had committed some great sin which was causing him to be punished by God. Job was so lost that he even said that his days were spent without hope. Job thought that he was dying and sometimes even wanted to. He had lost his children, his livestock, and his health. His wife and friends thought that he had lost his integrity and was being punished by God. The lowest of all people looked upon him as if he was vain and did not believe that God would take sin seriously. They thought that Job’s words had no merit, because of his refusal to admit that he had sinned.

God questioned Job, and Job answered. God sees the heart and knows when there is a need for correction that man cannot see. Job had no authority to judge God. In the end, Job prayed for his friends. He humbled himself before the Lord and in Chapter 42 verse 10 God removed Job’s captivity and Blessed him with twice as much as he had before. God knew that Job needed these test to purify and strengthen his faith in God. Job never lost his faith in God.

In the year 2020, we have struggled with many things. Loss of family members and friends to illness. Isolation imposed on us by our governments both federal and state. Loss of income because of the closing of work places. It’s really hard to remain faithful when you are completely alone, which is why God told us to worship together.

Romans 8:24 – 28 says

For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we see not, then do we with patience wait for it. Likewise, the Spirit helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercessions for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. And he that searcheth the hearts, knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.

Nothing can separate the believer from God’s love. Job remained a faithful believer throughout all of his trials and he was strengthened and purified in his faith. If Job could remain faithful to God with everything that he endured, then surely through the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who strengthens us, we should be able to remain faithful in God as well. What am I trying to tell you???

THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE‼ God loves you and I do too!