2021 – Year of the Lord’s Favour – Job in the stressful times holds on to God | May 16, 2021

Good morning Church!

Welcome back to the house of the God. Eventhough we all are attending today’s service virtually, yet God is able to see our hearts. It is He who has enabled us to attend today’s service to praise and worship Him, so let us all rejoice and be glad!

As you all are aware, we are learning from our ongoing series, “In difficuilt times, wait on to the Lord“, today we will be continuing with the same and the topic will be, “Job in the stressful times holds on to God!“

As you all have been made aware from the book if James 5:7-10, God has been faithful. The writer of James gives us Job’s example…

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

This (and all the examples from previous weeks) shows that God has rewarded back everything back to Job.

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord , and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord . And 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.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil? He still holds fast his integrity, although you incited me against him to destroy him without reason.” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out your hand and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your hand; only spare his life.”

How well is it for us, that neither men nor devils are to be our judges! but all our judgment comes from the Lord, who never errs. Job holds fast his integrity still, as his weapon. God speaks with pleasure of the power of his own grace. Self-love and self-preservation are powerful in the hearts of men. But Satan accuses Job, representing him as wholly selfish, and minding nothing but his own ease and safety. Thus are the ways and people of God often falsely blamed by the devil and his agents. Permission is granted to Satan to make trial, but with a limit. If God did not chain up the roaring lion, how soon would he devour us! Job, thus slandered by Satan, was a type of Christ, the first prophecy of whom was, that Satan should bruise his heel, and be foiled.

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 humbled himself under the hand of God. He reasons from the common state of human life, which he describes. We brought nothing of this world’s goods into the world, but have them from others; and it is certain we can carry nothing out, but must leave them to others. Job, under all his losses, is but reduced to his first state. He is but where he must have been at last, and is only unclothed, or unloaded rather, a little sooner than he expected. If we put off our clothes before we go to bed, it is some inconvenience, but it may be the better borne when it is near bed-time. The same who gave hath taken away. See how Job looks above instruments, and keeps his eye upon the First Cause. Afflictions must not divert us from, but quicken us to religion. If in all our troubles we look to the Lord, he will support us. The Lord is righteous. All we have is from his gift; we have forfeited it by sin, and ought not to complain if he takes any part from us. Discontent and impatience charge God with folly. Against these Job carefully watched; and so must we, acknowledging that as God has done right, but we have done wickedly, so God has done wisely, but we have done very foolishly. And may the malice and power of Satan render that Saviour more precious to our souls, who came to destroy the works of the devil; who, for our salvation, suffered from that enemy far more than Job suffered, or we can think.

And he took a piece of broken pottery with which to scrape himself while he sat in the ashes. Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

The devil tempts his own children, and draws them to sin, and afterwards torments, when he has brought them to ruin; but this child of God he tormented with affliction, and then tempted to make a bad use of his affliction. He provoked Job to curse God. The disease was very grievous. If at any time we are tried with sore and grievous distempers, let us not think ourselves dealt with otherwise than as God sometimes deals with the best of his saints and servants. Job humbled himself under the mighty hand of God, and brought his mind to his condition. His wife was spared to him, to be a troubler and tempter to him. Satan still endeavours to draw men from God, as he did our first parents, by suggesting hard thoughts of Him, than which nothing is more false. But Job resisted and overcame the temptation. Shall we, guilty, polluted, worthless creatures, receive so many unmerited blessings from a just and holy God, and shall we refuse to accept the punishment of our sins, when we suffer so much less than we deserve? Let murmuring, as well as boasting, be for ever done away. Thus far Job stood the trial, and appeared brightest in the furnace of affliction. There might be risings of corruption in his heart, but grace had the upper hand.

In the midst of all the trouble and negativity, Job said, “My redeemer lives!” In the midst of negative things happening to Job, Job didn’t stopped being a child of God.

When we talk about worry, the dictionary literally explains it as the state of being anxious and troubled over actual or potential problems.

Illustration: In her book “Who Switched Off My Brain?,” Dr. Caroline Leaf, cognitive neuroscience researcher, states 87% of illnesses plaguing people are a result of negative thinking. Her research indicates, “toxic emotions cause migraines, hypertension, strokes, cancer, skin problems, diabetes, infections, and allergies.” She concludes our thoughts affect us physically and emotionally. Her studies indicate fear triggers 1,400 known physical and chemical responses and activates 30 different hormones and neurotransmitters.

The entire book of Job chapters from 38-41 talks about Job dealing with negativity yet he never gave up on God.

And the Lord said to Job: “Shall a faultfinder contend with the Almighty? He who argues with God, let him answer it.” Then Job answered the Lord and said: “Behold, I am of small account; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand on my mouth.

And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.

God thunders wondrously with his voice; he does great things that we cannot comprehend.

Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.

1: Develop the discipline of saying no to anxiety.

As a Christian we need to understand that we must medidate on positive things and on the things God is doing.

You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh, but envy makes the bones rot.

Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Do not allow enemy to bring worry or negative thoughts  to your heart.

Abraham Lincoln once said, “I have been as happy as I have made my mind to be.”

Dr. McMillen once said, “Anxiety can precipitate numerous illnesses.”

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Job said, “My redeemer lives…!“, amidst the pain Job was going through.

Because you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you, I give men in return for you, peoples in exchange for your life.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

For thus said the Lord of hosts, after his glory sent me to the nations who plundered you, for he who touches you touches the apple of his eye:

who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.

For the safety of our life, we must cast our fears upon God.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Without prayers you aren’t going to see a breakthrough in your life.

Remember, during every challenges and every midst of troubles in our lives, God’s grace is sufficient for us. Doesn’t matter how much and what kind of suffering is, what matters is the end result in faith in Christ. Trust, God will make you victorious.

I sought the Lord , and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears.

Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation

Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?”

Dear Church, do not let the enemy take over your life by controlling you. Do not let worry and anxiety trouble you. Seek God and pray fervently, and Jesus will rescue you. Pray everyday and ask God and He will take care of your spiritual, personal, mental, physical and financial needs. More importantly He will give you peace, the peace of Christ.

We hope you are encouraged with today’s sermon. We look forward to see you all again next Sunday. God bless!