When The Lord Turned The Captivity Of Job

In the book of Job, Satan is allowed to sift this man of God and everything is taken from him: his children, his health, his affluence, his reputation, nearly EVERYTHING. (See Job 1:1, 6-12, 20-22)
Despite what looks like an attack of divine wrath upon him for no apparent justification, Job maintains his faith and trust in God and belief that God cannot be punishing him for any known sin he has committed. 

 In the beginning of the book, Job offers sacrifices for his children, intercedes and prays to God on their behalf. (*See Job 1:5)

The Bible suggests that Job’s prayers are more to prevent something evil from happening. After his crisis he laments, “What I always feared has happened to me. What I dreaded has come true.” Job 3:25 NLT. 

After everything is taken from Job, he doesn’t curse God, but he is thrown into an abyss of self pity and depression, focusing on his troubles and wishing only for death.

“At last Job spoke, and he cursed the day of his birth. “Let the day of my birth be erased, and the night I was conceived. Let that day be turned to darkness… Job 3:1 NLT (*see Job 3:1, 3-6)

Then his friends come by to comfort him. However, when they hear him talking so negatively they begin to assault his integrity, though they have no justification for condemning him other than the fact that he has been mercilessly persecuted through myriad tribulations.

They are judging him by his misfortunes adding to them by heaping sorrow upon sorrow.
Like Job, we cannot understand our trials sometimes for they seem so unfair. 

Why should we be afflicted when others are not?  We may wonder if God plays favorites. 
Yet the Bible reveals “For God does not show favoritism.” Romans 2:11 NLT

After studying God’s Word we gain a better understanding of suffering, how God views pain and affliction, and the purpose of trials. 
We will never have all the answers this side of eternity, “

Some people may go through severe trials as Job did, and they come through the long dark tunnel emerging into a broad new path. 

God rewards them with a wonderful new life and all their former misery seems to vanish away in a beautifully restored life through His measureless mercy and grace.

And then there are others who seem to be destined to suffer through serial trials and misfortunes throughout their lives. 

Their Divine Coach gives them short reprieves to sit on the bench for a rest from their suffering every so often, but then He sends them back into the Divine Game as First Stringers, to combat their spiritual Opponent. 

This seemed to be what the Apostle Paul experienced as did many of the other apostles.

 

We are all of us in this war together, but some souls God seems to use to fight in the trenches facing the opposition more frequently and getting more battle wounded because of this. 

Because of his special revelations Paul wrote that he was given a painful thorn to bear:

“So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 

Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” 

So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 NLT

Some may seem never to suffer. However, to everything there is a season, and a time and purpose to everything under the heavens. 

Also, some types of suffering go unseen, for appearances are deceiving. Only God knows all hearts. 

What today is, tomorrow may not be. (See Ecclesiastes 3:1)

 “If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall.” 1 Corinthians 10:12 NLT

God knows what the limits of each person are and He never gives us more than we can tolerate. (See 1 Corinthians 10: 13)

The Lord tests each of us according to His Word to see if our faith is genuine. 

“So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. 

These trials will show that your faith is genuine.

 It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. 

So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.” 1 Peter 1:6-7 NLT

God’s Word says that our Heavenly Father chastises each one of His children to make us holy.

“As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. 

Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 

Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? 

For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. 

But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 

No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! 

But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:7-11 NLT

As we glean from studying the Book of Job, it is never wise to judge people or God by their or our own afflictions.

 “Then the Lord answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said,

 Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? “Job.38.1, Job.38.2

 Romans 8:28 reveals that God is working all things together for good to those who love Him. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 admonishes us to pray without ceasing, rejoice always and to give thanks in all circumstances for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. 

After the Lord appeared to Job and counseled him, Job prayed to God and worshiped Him, repenting for his misunderstanding of God:

“I had heard of You [only] by the hearing of the ear, but now my [spiritual] eye sees You. Therefore I loathe [my words] and abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:5-6 AMPC

Ultimately God was angry with Job’s friends who had condemned Job unfairly.

He told them to go have Job pray for them and bring sacrifices for him to offer to the Lord on their behalf.

After Job prayed for them, the Bible says,  “And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends…”

God rewarded Job and blessed him with more than he’d started out with. 

The book of Job teaches us that prayer sets us free from bitterness and releases God’s love in our hearts so that He can bless lives through us. 

God will restore us once we throw off the shackles of unforgiveness, which leads to an unhealthy focus on the self, breeding self pity and resentment, the bitter roots of depression,  making our attitudes negative, hopeless, and dark. 

Prayer and Forgiveness open the door to God’s love and light in our hearts and sets us free to experience God’s healing mercy and grace. 

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Thy immeasurable love and mercy towards each of us. When we suffer through trials help us to understand that You do love us, that You have not forsaken us and never will, and that You suffer with us in our pain through Christ who’s Spirit dwells in us. Thank You for Thy Word that assures us of these truths; bless and encourage all who are suffering through trials and fill them with rivers of Thy peace and strength to make it through, in Jesus’ name, amen.

The Lord Will Wash Away All Our Tears Someday © (p) 2022, Meditations For The Journey, Keyboard Instrumentals, by Suzanne Davis Harden, through the Indwelling Risen Lord Jesus Christ, Inspired by The Holy Spirit, To The Glory of God The Father, In Jesus’ Name, Amen. 

All Rights Reserved. 

 

Faith is the Two A's

Faith is The Two A's

The following devotional "Faith is The Two A's" was written by  Reverend Donald Peters, the Pastor of our church. 
He'd preached a wonderful sermon on Faith and then included this excellent devotional from it in our bulletin last Sunday. He graciously gave me permission to share it on my blog.

Faith is the two A's: 
Accepting what God says and Acting upon it.
His Word is the Fact, and on that we Act.

Four Ways to grow our FAITH:

1. FOCUS primarily on God, rather than circumstances.
   When Peter focused on Jesus, he was able to walk on water. 

"You were raised from death with Christ. So live for what is in heaven, where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God. 

 Think only about what is up there, not what is here on earth."~Colossians 3:1-2 (ERV)

"We must never stop looking to Jesus. He is the leader of our faith, and he is the one who makes our faith complete. He suffered death on a cross. But he accepted the shame of the cross as if it were nothing because of the joy he could see waiting for him. And now he is sitting at the right side of God’s throne."
 Hebrews 12:2 (ERV)

2. Read the Bible thoughtfully and unhurriedly, allowing it to sink into your soul.
Romans 10: 17 reminds us, "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV)

Psalm 1:1-3 (KJV) "Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful."
2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper." 

3. Pray to the Lord from the heart, because the Christian has a personal relationship with Him.

Psalm 62:8 (KJV) "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us."

Romans 8:26 (KJV) "Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."

4. Act on what the Lord reveals to you through the Word and prayer, for faith is incomplete until we do.


James 1:22 (ERV) ^"Do what God’s teaching says; don’t just listen and do nothing. When you only sit and listen, you are fooling yourselves."

James 1:25 (NASB) "But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does."


“But My righteous one will live by faith." ~ Hebrews 10:38 (NIV)

Heavenly Father, Thy Son Jesus Christ said that if we had faith even as small as a mustard seed we could move a mountain. We ask You to give us more faith. Fill our hearts with faith, hope and rivers of peace; may we always remember that You are in control and have engraved each one of us on the palms of Your almighty hands. May You meet the needs of everyone praying this prayer, In Jesus' name we ask, we love You, Lord, amen.

"Faith is the Two A's" ©  2015 Rev. Donald Peters All Rights Reserved.  Photo Credits via Pinterest Scripture Quotations: Easy To Read Version Bible (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by World Bible Translation Center,
New American Standard Version Bible (NASB) Copyright © 1960,
New International Version, NIV® Copyright ©1973,
King James Version (KJV) (Public Domain)
Prayer: S.D. Harden Unto The Least Of These © 2015 All Rights Reserved.

Lord, Give Me Faith

LORD, GIVE ME FAITH

© 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved.

Lord, give me the faith of Abel

Whose sacrifice to You

Was born out of obedience

To Thy word of truth.

Lord, give me the faith of Enoch

Who walked with You each day

Ever drawing closer

Till Thy Love swept Him away

Into Thy heart of Truth~

He never died, You took Him home

To always be with You.

Lord give me the faith of Sarah

Who trusted and believed

The promise that you gave to her;

Thy promise she received.

Lord give me the faith of Abraham

Who waited many years

For the promise that You gave,

By faith he persevered.

He waited and he trusted

Though he saw no sign

That what You said would be fulfilled

In Your own way and time.

Lord give me the faith of Noah,

Who trusted and obeyed

Thy word to him to build an ark

Though he saw no sign of rain.

"Build Me an ark, “ said God,

~Noah saw no reason why~

Yet He patiently worked and built God’s boat

While hundreds of years went by.

"This world will end, dear Noah,

This ark you build will save

You and all I give to you,

Just do all that I say."

 

Lord give me the faith of Moses

Who faithful to You stayed;

Through every trial and temptation

He willingly obeyed.

You sent him to the Pharaoh

"Let my people go!"

And every time you sent him there,

The Pharaoh shouted, "No!"

He asked and sought and knocked,

Yet every door was closed,

But Thy will prevailed for him~

One day the king said, "Go!"

Lord give me the faith that lasts

To all eternity

That never doubts Thy promises

Will always come to be.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

                                           

“But joyful are those...whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.” ~Psalm 146:5-6 (NLT)

Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us with such immeasurable love and for believing in us so much that You entrust us with beautiful dreams that we could never hope or imagine could ever be fulfilled except by faith in Your strength and power and ability to help us accomplish them. 

For You are to be honored and glorified in each of us 

by our lives on this earth in all that we do,

 and when we accomplish what would 

seem impossible in our own strength,

 all glory and honor goes to You, our awesome Creator. 

We love You, Lord and thank You 

for keeping every promise forever. 

In Jesus' name, Amen. 

"Lord, Give Me Faith," Prayer Poem © 2014 by Suzanne Davis Harden, All Rights Reserved. Bible Quote: New Living Translation: 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. All rights reserved. Photo Illustration/ S.D. Harden/ Unto The Least Of These © 2014 All Rights Reserved.

The God of All Comfort

THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1:3-7 (TLB)

"What a wonderful God we have—He is the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 

the source of every mercy, and the one who so wonderfully comforts 

and strengthens us in our hardships and trials. 

And why does He do this? 

So that when others are troubled, 

needing our sympathy and encouragement, 

we can pass on to them this same help and comfort God has given us. 

You can be sure that the more we undergo sufferings for Christ, 

the more He will shower us with His comfort and encouragement. 

We are in deep trouble for bringing you God’s comfort and salvation. 

But in our trouble God has comforted us—and this, too, to help you: 

to show you from our personal experience how God will tenderly comfort you 

when you undergo these same sufferings. 

He will give you the strength to endure."

The verses above written by St. Paul over 2000 years ago to the Corinthian Church are some of my favorite scriptures. "God is the Source of EVERY MERCY! God is the ONE who comforts us and strengthens us and manages to get us through all of our trials if we will only turn to Him and trust Him.

I ran across a beautiful post recently by gifted writer Bella Alex-Nosagie, who so brilliantly articulated this message that I'm going to re-share it here (with her permission!)

 Bella Alex-Nosagie ~July 16, 2016 ~Google

"Let me take this a little further and remind you of something. God created you with so much love. He is the one that applauds every milestone you take in life. 

He weeps when you weep and rejoices when you rejoice. 

When it feels like no one is there, God is. 

Turn your face to Him always.

The Bible is His love letter to you to encourage you and empower you. 

Don't despair, God loves you and that love is more than enough for me.

When I'm really having hard days I hide myself in His word and turn on the music praising and worshipping Him. I find out I feel much better when I've told Him everything I'm sad about. 

Have a blessed day! ~Bella Alex-Nosagie

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your measureless love toward each of us.  Thank You that You are a God who lives inside of us through Your Holy Spirit, who knows all about us, who cares very much about every detail of our lives. Thank You that You care so deeply about our personal lives and that You long for us to turn all our cares & burdens over to You so that You might not only comfort & encourage us, but also empower us to meet all our challenges through the supernatural strength of Christ Jesus. You long to give us the wisdom to navigate through the murky waters that we sometimes encounter on our paths. All we have to do is ask. Thank You, precious Father God~We love You! in Jesus' name, Amen.

"The God of All Comfort" © 2014 Bella Alex-Nosagie All Rights Reserved (Note: the Author encourages others to freely share her beautiful encouraging message!) 

Scripture Verses: TLB, © 1971 Tyndale House Publishers All Rights Reserved.

Unto The Least of These, © 2014 Suzanne Davis Harden All Rights Reserved. 

God Hears

GOD HEARS

"Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray." ~James 5:13 (NKJV)

"Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." ~2 Timothy 3:12 (NKJV)

"For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison..."~ 2 Corinthians 4:17 (NASB)

"If we suffer, we shall also reign with Him..."~ 2 Timothy 2:12 (KJV)

"For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, Nor was deceit found in His mouth.” ~1 Peter 2:19, 21-22 (NKJV)

"My friends, don’t be surprised at the painful things that you are now suffering, which are testing your faith. Don’t think that something strange is happening to you." ~1 Peter 4:12 (ESV)

"These troubles test your faith and prove that it is pure. And such faith is worth more than gold. 

Gold can be proved to be pure by fire, but gold will ruin. When your faith is proven to be pure, the result will be praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ comes." 

~1 Peter 1:7 (ESV)

"So be humble under God’s powerful hand. Then He will lift you up when the right time comes. 

Give all your worries to Him, because He cares for you." ~1 Peter 5:6-7 (ESV)

"Yes, you will suffer for a short time. But after that, God will make everything right. 

He will make you strong. He will support you and keep you from falling. He is the God who gives all grace. He chose you to share in his glory in Christ. That glory will continue forever. All power is his forever. Amen." ~1 Peter 5:10-11 (ESV)

Heavenly Father, thank You for Thy word that assures us that You are with us when we suffer and that the suffering will end.  You are perfecting our faith and Your word assures us that You will never give us more than we can bear. Thank You that You are ever faithful and You hear our every prayer. Thank You that whether You call us to go through the fire or the raging flood Your word assures us that You will be holding us in the flames and not a hair on our head will be scorched; you will carry us over the stormy waves and we will not drown for You will hide us in Your heart and we need never fear no matter how dark and desperate our circumstances may seem. Though unseen You will carry us through to victory through every season of suffering in our lives as we abide in You and trust in Your faithfulness. 

Your love for us will never fail. Thank You Lord. I love You! In Jesus' name, Amen. 

"God Hears": Comforting Scriptures: Unto The Least of These: Suzanne Davis Harden: Photo Credit/Google