Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God. Job 13:3 (KJV)

Job Chapter 13 entails a man who’s fighting for vindication from his accusing friends. Satan not only stripped Job of his possessions, struck his body with sores, but he also sent Job’s friends to push the dagger in deeper. Both Job and his so called friends, had a skewed perspective of this seemingly never ending trial he endured. Job’s friends held to the theology of Divine Retribution (you’re paying for your sins, or past sins Job.) Job was beginning to recount his youthful sins, and began to believe it as well. He wanted a court date with God, and wanted to plead his case as to why he was going through such a tumultuous ordeal. Job had earlier said, “The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away,” but in reality it was Satan who took from Job. He never had any earthly idea his life was on display between the host of Heaven, and all of hell. God knew the content of Job’s heart, and removed His hedge and allowed Satan to come in and sift him as wheat. Satan was bound and determined to crush Job, to the point he would take his wife’s advice, and curse God and die. Yet, here’s where Job took the dagger and stuck it right into the heart of Satan. While he sat back on his lazy boy waiting for Job to fold, he was in for the surprise of his life, when Job indeed remained his integrity through it all. Although, Job wanted vindication, and later God had to come down and remind him of His divine Sovereignty, Job remained FAITHFUL!!! It was a testament that would echo a lifetime for Job, and US….We get to benefit, and learn from one of the greatest trials to ever strike humanity.

The reality was, Job wasn’t being paid back for his sins!

That’s one of Satan’s tricks when we’re going through a trial. He wants to bring up our past, and accuse God before us, trying to make us think God is against us. This will drive us away from the very thing we need to survive our storms. That’s what he wants, to cut off our lifeline!! Job had no clue it was the hand of Satan against him, and Satan used his friends to convince him, it was God who was against him. Although, God pulled back His hedge, He never left Job’s side. His sustaining Grace and Mercy followed him every moment. So today, we may go through things we will never understand on Earth, but God will never leave us nor forsake us. His promises are Yes and Amen. As Saints of God, trials are never meant to destroy us, rather they are brought on to purify us, and maybe even prove a point to ole slew foot, that there are people out there who actually love God, and it’s not about circumstantial worship. It kills us to the bone when we don’t understand the “WHY’s OF LIFE,” but that’s where TRUST is made manifest. Do we trust Him? When we don’t understand why things are happening, will we trust God through it all?? Trials reveal the truth within our own hearts, and give us opportunity for spiritual growth. As long as we’re in these earthly bodies, trials and tribulations will come. Things beyond our comprehension will arise, but we must trust God in ALL things. And…as Paul said, “Give God thanks in All Things!!! That’s easier said than done…But, the Lord will help us through it all!! He truly does love us, and is for us!!! So…If God be for us, WHO can be against us??

1 Peter 1:7 (KJV)

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:

1 Peter 4:12-13 (KJV)

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.

Blessings, JDS