Mico-Church: Week 30

“Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. The Lord said to Satan, ‘From where have you come?’ Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.’”

Job 1:6-7 ESV

We see in in Job 1 that the enemy was roaming the earth seeking whom he may devour. It is what he has been doing from the beginning and what he will continue to do until the end.

How does knowing that we have an enemy and knowing how he operates help you in your relationship with Jesus?

“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.”

Job 1:12 ESV

Here we see that the enemy (Satan) had to be subject to what the Lord said he could and could not do. Because of this example we see that the kingdom of darkness is no match for the kingdom of God.

How does that reality change the way you look at God and satan?

“Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and there came a messenger to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother's house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’”

Job 1:13-19

We clearly see here that being in a relationship with God doesn’t promise immunity from problems in your life. Job was blameless, upright, and turned away from evil yet he still experienced pain and suffering. We also see through the whole context of the bible that God is taking every moment of our suffering and pain turning it around for his glory.

How does knowing that your suffering and pain is benefiting you and the kingdom of God around you change your perspective on your hardships in life?

“The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.”

Psalm 145:9

If someone were to ask you, “How can you call God good if he constantly allows bad things to happen?” how would you answer?

“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, ‘Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.’ In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”

Job 1:20-22

What are things that I can do right now in my life to make sure that when the hard times come, I am still declaring God is good just like Job did?