We often expect God to create an easy way out of trouble or provide a soft landing when we have to take a leap of faith. Many times, however, He chooses to do things differently from how we would expect. Often, He uses challenging situations to not only strengthen His children, but also to make a point about them. This was the case for Job, who was described as blameless, upright, and so God fearing that he shunned evil. Job 1:3 says he "was the greatest man among all the people of the East." God even boasted about him to satan, calling him "my servant" and said there was no one else like him in the entire world (Job 1:8).
And yet, God allowed satan to afflict Job. The devil was intent on destroying the man and caused him great harm. All to prove God a liar. So much so, that his friends insisted that his suffering had to be the result of living a sinful lifestyle. As each friend accused him, he held to his belief that he had not committed any sin to warrant his loss and pain. In his frustration, he demanded the Lord explain why he was going through such a tough time. God obliged him. The result was a chastened Job, who acknowledged that he should have been more careful how he'd spoken and thought about His Creator.
We are told in 1 Peter 5:10 - And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. Similarly, after Job had suffered for some time, the Lord restored all he'd lost and gave him double for his trouble (Isaiah 61:7). That wasn't all he got for enduring the challenges. God acknowledged him as His servant to his friends - the same friends who'd accused him of being everything but a saint. Speaking to Eliphaz, the Lord called Job a servant four separate times. He also instructed him to have Job pray over himself and the two others who had spoken incorrectly (Job 42:7-8).
God didn't stop there. Having shown that Job stood firm under pressure, the Lord also proved to satan that His initial assessment was indeed correct - the man was His servant. A man who weathered the worst that satan could throw at him and did not break faith with His God. In so doing, He proved that satan was nothing but a liar.
Job's experience teaches us many things. First, someone else's suffering may be God's tool to ultimately show that person approved. Therefore, we should not assume we understand what God is doing during someone's season of suffering. Consider the struggles faced by the first apostles and Christians. To the casual observer, God must have been upset with them to allow them face death and prosecution. They did not know that Jesus had warned that such would happen because they believed in Him (Matthew 10:22). We have the benefit of the Bible and the Holy Spirit to help our understanding. Instead of gossip and judgment, let us support the suffering with assistance (where we can and are equipped) and fervent intercessory prayers.
Second, it is easy to complain about God's pruning but He may be doing things we are unaware of. We need the patience and wisdom of God to hang in there until we receive breakthrough. God could be using our current season to prove us worthy of the title He lovingly assigns. To understand this point, imagine if Job had done what his wife suggested in Job 2:9, "curse God and die"? Or, if he'd crumpled under his friend's accusations and shifted in his faith that he had not sinned against God? He may have truncated his journey and his story would have ended differently. Instead of satan learning that it it gained nothing for troubling him, it would have had grounds to point at God and call Him a liar.
Third, just because a person has suffered does not automatically make them God's servant. While suffering can qualify someone for service, notice that God called Job His servant prior to his affliction. Job's commitment and obedience made him a servant long before satan attacked. In fact, that was partly why he was attacked. We must allow God to give us the title and appointment He desires. It is unwise to usurp His authority and go where we have not been trained for or sent to. The Seven Sons of Sceva tried this (Acts 19:13-16). They'd gotten away with it for a while but crossed their Vashti Line and were beaten black and blue. May that never be our portion IJMN Amen.
Fourth, God needs to tell us whether our suffering stems from His training or a sinful lifestyle. All men have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). Yet, some struggles are a result of unrepented and/or repeated sin that prevent the blood of the Lamb from purifying believers who walk with the Holy Spirit (1 John 1:7). Sins such as fornication, sexµal immorality, occult practices, unforgiveness, hatred for God or others, and more dull spiritual senses so flesh dominates. When this happens, access to God's grace and mercy decrease and the devil has increased liberty to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Unlike with Job where God allowed his struggles for a short period, those living in perpetual sin walk further away from God's protection and bear the unpleasant brunt of satan's evil. Prayer and fasting will bring the insight needed.
Our suffering can teach us many things. It can teach the devil that God's children are worthy of the title He assigns them. May we submit to God's will especially when it is hard to understand why we are confronted by the storms of life. May the Lord grant grace, strength, and wisdom to not contribute to the devil 's evil underlying schemes. May we always be on the Lord's side and may our lives prove Him true in all we do, IJMN, Amen.
To learn more about today's message, kindly read the hyperlinked messages as well as:
Serve with your Talents & Gifts - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) August 4, 2020
Job, satan and Return on investment - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) September 21, 2021
How satan speaks 2: Book of Job - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 9, 2023
Stay in God's Service - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) May 30, 2023
Prove It! - Tuesday Praise & Pray (for others) January 30, 2024
The devil's Underlying Scheme - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) February 21, 2025
From M22 - Abba Father I pray that you accept our petitions today. I pray that you continue to prune and renew us as we walk with you everyday. I pray that we radiate your glory always IJMN Amen
CLOSING PRAYER
Thank You for another day of fellowship and learning at Your feet, Father. Thank You for preserving us to enjoy this great grace and mercy. All glory and honor be onto Your holy name.
Lord as we go our separate ways, we submit ourselves and our environments to You. Just as You were with us during fellowship remain and hover all around us. Let Your will be our will and Your word fill our lips. Enable us, dear God, to hold onto the lessons from today's message. Help us to walk with You and in Your Spirit that we may stand firm no matter what is going on around us. That whatever challenges come our way, we will know that as You were with Job, so You are with us. And that none of our experiences are wasted but will be used by You to prove that we belong to You and You have loved us since the beginning. Thank You, Father, IJN, Amen.
If you weren't sure how to pray per my recommendation in the Last 10 Minutes post, feel free to pray along with me -
Thank You God for using my life to prove to satan and all of creation that what You've said about me is true. Thank You for calling me to Yourself. Your word states that those who You foreknew You also predestined to be conformed to the image of Jesus, the firstborn among Your blessed children (Romans 8:29). From before I was in my mother's womb, You oh Lord knew me intimately.
God, where I have fallen short and sinned against You, I am sincerely sorry. Father, forgive me. Forgive me for every time I have allowed the devil to think it has scored points against You. Thank You for Your grace and mercy because You know the beginning from the end. So, even where I've fallen short in sin, the blood of Jesus redeems and rescues me from sin and death.
I praise You mighty God. You who knew me from the beginning. You who know all of me. Thank You because my life will glorify You. Thank You for by Your sweet grace shall I be deemed blameless on the day of my Savior, Jesus, IJN, Amen. Thank You because You will get me through to You. Hallelujah!
LAST 10 MINUTES
Take a moment to thank God for whatever you learned from today's message. Just give God the glory. Whatever He alerts us to, He does so because He's pointing out what He's doing in us and for us.
So, glorify the Lord right now because like Job, He is using the struggles You've experienced to prove to you and others that you are His.
If you believe that you are or have experienced struggles that stemmed from your sin, then confess them and repent to the Lord so you receive His mercy. If you are unsure about this, no problem. Just confess that you are indeed a sinner and ask for His forgiveness. I pray that you will allow the Spirit of God to reveal where you have fallen short so you repent. Then thank God and receive His forgiveness in faith and just keep praising Him.
God is great and greatly to be praised.
Lord, You are Jehovah Jireh, the provider of what is needed. You are the giver of all good things and today I place before You those in need of finances.
Haggai 2:8 - The silver is mine and the gold is mine,’ declares the LORD Almighty.
God, the devil thrives in making people think that they cannot access what belongs to You. But, You are the God who gives. In fact, Psalm 23:1 states, the Lord is my Shepherd and I shall not want.
And so, I bring before You those in this fellowship seeking financial help from You. I call on You Lord to open the door that cannot be shut for them. May they access the silver and gold that You have for them, breaking every basis the devil has used to keep them from what is theirs. Lord, Your word indicates that when the thief is found it must pay back seven-fold, even if it be the last wealth of its house. I decree that what was stolen be returned seven-fold. I call on You oh Lord to break every chain.
I am also praying that where Your children are yet to take a step. Where they are yet to move in faith and obedience, all fear will fall off. That they will move, stirred by Your word and Spirit, to step into the abundance You have for them in both the spiritual and the physical. That they will take advantage of the access they have to You and all that is good. IJMN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, I pray for @FFJ to flourish supernaturally. I pray that You increase her spiritual wisdom and gifts so that she can continue serving You with all her heart and to the best of her abilities. I pray that You bring her to the next level of her walk with You and that her growth with You is limitless. I pray for the P&P fellowship and community to flourish and that many hearts are touched and edified by the P&P messages and lessons conveyed to us through the Holy Spirit. IJMN. Amen.
Dear God, we are living in unsettling times. Many are feeling the pressures of the news cycle and decisions that are beyond their control.
Lord, please hear this prayer. You who still the turmoil of the nations, still the turmoil in hearts and minds. I pray, IJN, that people will turn to You for their peace amidst the world's chaos. I pray that people will settle in Your word and run into Your tower where rest, peace and protection lie.
May people look to You for solace and not turn to idols such as the news, social media, substances and more for comfort, IJN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord I pray for those who have suffered from traumatic experiences which includes one of my colleagues and her family. I pray that You wrap them in Your love and bless them with the strength and comfort needed to pull out of the current mental state they are in. I pray Lord that You touch their hearts to draw close to You and that You bless them with oil of joy and a sound mind. I pray that You stir their hearts to cast their burdens on You and You pour your love on them to get them out of the current situation they are experiencing.
Oh, Heavenly Father. Thank You for being Jehovah Rapha. You are the God who heals and I worship You for this greatness. Glory be to Your Holy Name!
Lord, Your word states in Jeremiah 30:17 - But I will restore you to health and heal your wounds,’ declares the LORD, ‘because you are called an outcast, Zion for whom no one cares.’ Your word also states in Isaiah 38:16 - Your words and your deeds bring life to everyone, including me. Please make me healthy and strong again (CEV).
Good God, we know that the enemy wants Your children to fear but Your grace is sufficient to cast down such imaginations and thoughts. And when armed with Your word, we are armed with Your promise, a covenant You cannot break for You are He who cannot lie.
I speak Your word over those looking to You for healing. Lord, You have promised to restore Your people to health and to heal their wounds. As Your people call on You to make them healthy and strong again, I say thank You in advance for Your healing grace upon their lives. Good Lord, You alone shall get the glory for what You have done for them, IJMN, Amen.
Almighty God, I call on You for unity in the body of Christ. John 17:20-24 - “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one—I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity. Then the world will know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.
The devil breeds confusion, contention, and dissatisfaction among Your people. However, Lord, You have eternal dominion (Daniel 4:34) and that will never change.
Pour out Your Spirit, Lord. Let Your flock move as one to Your voice. For the word tells us, John 10:27 - My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.
Lord, thank You for being the God who saves. Our Rescuer. Our Defender. The great and mighty King. The mighty God of War. Thank You for the freedom purchased on the cross by the blood of Jesus. Thank You that we have taken advantage of this great gift and enjoy the benefits.
God, there are countless many who are yet to tap into this gift and the enemy stands against them doing so, just as it tried to stand against Daniel receiving the wisdom You'd sent from Your throne.
Heavenly Father, Your word teaches us that Jesus came to set the captives free (Isaiah 42:7). He said He came to deliver the sick and not the healthy (Luke 5:31).
God, I lean on this word and pray for the captives and all those held bound by satan. Father, Jesus died for their freedom and need not be crucified again. Open eyes, ears and hearts to the freedom they have through Him. Let every obstacle and altar standing against them taking hold of their freedom be brought down, IJN, Amen. Remember Your promise in Ezekiel 36:25-27 and may it come to pass for an increasing number of people. Many are crying out for freedom and I pray they taste and see that You, oh Lord, are good, IJN, Amen.
From JIR - Lord, please bless all expectant mothers with smooth and healthy pregnancies. Please bless and protect the wombs and the babies in those wombs to be healthy. Please bless all expectant mothers with safe and healthy deliveries and bless them to deliver healthy baby boys and healthy baby girls. IJMN. Amen.
PRAYER TIME
Now, we get to pray for people. Please pray with zeal, the way you'd want someone to pray for you.
Almighty God, hallowed be Your Name. Yesterday, today and forever, You remain the same.
You are good and Your mercy is forever. I am grateful for all You are and all You will be.
Take all the glory, Lord.
From JIR - “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 12:9-10 NLT
Thank You Lord for being all that we need. Your grace is sufficient. IJMN. Amen.
Perfect Father, thank You for being our God. Thank You for choosing us to be Your own. Thank You for being our Defender and Vindicator.
We honor You.
From JIR - Almighty, Supreme, Sovereign, Alpha and Omega. What an honor and privilege to call You God. What a blessing that He Who is in control of all things is my God. Your grace and mercy, Your love and compassion, Your patience and humility. I am in awe and so utterly grateful that You are God. Genuinely grateful. Thank You Lord! IJMN. Amen.
From JIR - Thank You God for loving and protecting me all the days of my life. You have never left or forsaken me. You fight my battles; even the battles I am unaware of and I thank You for caring for me to that extent. Your love is boundless. Thank You for wrapping me in it. It is pure joy. The peace that you give me is also unexplainable. Before I gave my life to You I was uneasy with many things. I thank You for putting me at ease and blessing me with a sound mind. Thank You Lord. You are good! IJMN. Amen.
Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace and mercy. Thank You for Your loving kindness.
Thank You for Your guidance and affection.
Glory be to Your Holy Name.
Psalm 66:3-4 - Say to God, “How awesome are your deeds! So great is your power that your enemies cringe before you. 4 All the earth bows down to you; they sing praise to you, they sing the praises of your name.”
Thank You Mighty God!
PRAISE TIME
It's time to give God the glory. Let us praise our mighty Father.
Because I've been listening to a lot more Judikay these days -
From JIR - Thank You Lord for breathing life into us this morning. Without You nothing is possible. Thank You Lord for new mercies every morning. We praise You and we thank You. IJMN. Amen.
Thanks for today’s message sis @FFJ. The Book of Job is encouraging. Job was not suffering because he was unrighteous but because he was righteous and God was using him to show him, those around him and the reader that when we are devout followers of God we will be put through the fire and that God is refining us and testing us as gold is tested (Zechariah 13;9). God knows our hearts and also wouldn’t give us more than we can handle. The sufferings that His children experience are for our best interest and increase our faith, love and dependency on Him. We should take it in stride as Paul did, when he said that he delighted in his persecutions and sufferings (2 Corinthians 12;10). God is preparing us for His good.
Also, I love that you pointed out the fact that there are two types of sufferings. One is when we are right with God and the other is when we are in sin. I thank you for sharing this @FFJ and giving us the insight to make us aware. This lets me know I need to always examine myself and pray to God for insight on what category I fall under if I am unsure.
From EC - Amen and good morning ladies!
From M22 - Thank you Faithful God for another wonderful fellowship day. I am truly grateful to be in your presence this morning Abba. I hold on to your word in Psalm. 139:23-24 and ask that you continue to search us and prune us till we are made whole in you. IJMN Amen.
Thank you for today's word sis @FFJ . Today's word is very personal and deep for me. God is truly intentional when he tests us. He sees the end from the beginning. Job's story was one I studied last year using enduringword.com and the way the Bible scholars broke down opened my eyes. Job loved God so much he was more concerned about whether he wronged God more than his predicament. In 37 chapters we see how God was silent and yet when he spoke to Job, Job knew God was there all along watching him participate in the tests he set for him. It's a wonderful story and I pray it continues to motivate us to put God first before everything else. I pray no matter what we are going through, God will give us the supernatural strength and steadfastness to focus on pleasing and honoring him. Sis @FFJ , the 4th point you wrote really resonated with me because when I look back at the last 3 years, I now see that God needed prune to get me to this point and even though I am learning at his feet and he is still pruning me everyday, I pray that we continually walk with him everyday in spirit and truth. God bless you all. Amen!
ALTAR CALL
I usually share a written message at this point, but I saw this video recently and thought it might be better for you to watch this. It explains why and how to submit to Jesus Christ and become a member of God's royal family.
God bless you.