Based on “Life Happens” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 6/26-27/10
Message #6052; Daily Devotional #4 - “He Chose You”
Preparing the Soil (Introduction): Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4) I can’t think of anyone in the Bible who faced more trials than Job. Yes, Paul endured many trials, but if I may be so bold as to say, he deliberately put himself in vulnerable positions on many occasions. But with Job, life was going along pretty well and then whamo: life hit not just once, but over and over again. Some parts of me wish that the dialogue between God and Satan was at the end of the book of Job (Job 1:6-12), simply because many times we don’t know why we are going through trials until the end of the trial. It's in that moment of ‘Oh, so that’s why I had to that,’ do we realize why we had to endure that trial. But the book of Job, chapter 1, sets the stage for us, making it easier to digest the rest of the life of Job and all the trials he had to face.
Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): In our lifetime we will face many trials. Job faced a period of 140 years of trials. Oh, he had his ups and downs during those years, mostly downs, but he knew above all else that God was for him. Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” (Job 1:8) God was definitely on his side. I don’t think Job ever heard or probably ever knew about this conversation, but that didn’t change his outlook on life. Did Job ever question, “Why, God?” (Job 3) Absolutely, but that didn’t detour him from relying on God instead of friends and family, even when he didn’t feel as if God was there. “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread. (Job 23:8-12) Job clung to every Word of God, and he had a faith of perseverance, something I strive for each day. Perseverance isn’t just something that comes and goes; it’s a daily commitment – a building block for maturity in Christ. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:5-8) Yes, I wish that we didn’t know the reason for his trials until the end of the book, but isn’t it great to know up front that God is for us, so who can truly be against us? In the end, Job was blessed with more than he started out with in Chapter 1. And so he died, old and full of years. (Job 42:17) Which literally means Job died “accomplished and satisfied.”
Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response): I wonder what would be read about me if the book of Job was titled with my name instead of his. Would God even consider me a servant who is blameless, upright, fears God and shuns evil? Would my attitude be one that reflects pure joy during my 140 years of trial? It’s overwhelming to think about, and yet we are to examine our hearts (Psalm 26:1-3). Take time today to search your heart and your attitude toward your situation today; it may very well be that God will choose you just as he chose Job.
Cultivating (Additional Reading): James 5:7-11; Isaiah 43:1-2
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All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted.