He who knows the way that I take; when he has tested me I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10 NIV
Job fell in a heap. Did he wish the ground would swallow him up before he received any more bad news?
Ten children. Dead.
500 teams of oxen. Stolen.
7,000 sheep caught in a wildfire. Dead.
3,000 camels. Stolen.
“A large number” of servants. Dead.
In the book about his life, Job 1:20-22 says he worshipped God.
I don’t know about you, but my first inclination in difficulty isn’t worship.
A submission for a book callout. Silence.
A children’s book trilogy. Rejected.
A book idea. Stalled.
Computer crash. Files lost.
How could Job worship the Lord when things looked so bleak? His secret was in refusing entitlement. Job 1:22 says, “I didn’t bring anything into the world when I was born, and I won’t take anything with me when I die.” (My paraphrase.)
When boils covered his body, Job said he found consolation in knowing he had not strayed from God’s Word. (Job 6:10)
Job clung to his integrity when questioned by his friends (Job 6:29) and humbled himself before God for mercy from judgment (Job 9:15). Job acknowledged his Creator and appealed to His kindness (Job 10:8-12). Job had hope for an advocate (Job 16:19-21) and a redeemer who would be victorious over suffering (Job 19:25).
In the end, God blessed Job (Job 42:11-16).
Exercise:
What can we learn from Job? Let’s take a look at what Peter had to say about endurance.
- How much does God give us for life and godliness? 2 Peter 1:3
- What knowledge aids us? 2 Peter 1:3
- What two things do God’s great and precious promises equip us to do? 2 Peter 1:4
- What seven things are we to put effort into adding to our faith arsenal? 2 Peter 1:5-7
- What will those seven qualities equip you to do? 2 Peter 1:8
I gave you a list of some of my disappointments. Now, here’s a list of blessings.
Published in eight anthologies.
A children’s coloring book published.
Two retreat ebooks published.
Over 290 devotions and articles published.
My writing is stronger than ever!
Can we worship God when we get bad news? Absolutely. Peter reminds us we will see the victory when we persevere. (2 Peter 1:10-11)
What’s on your blessings list? Count them and praise God!
His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness.
2 Peter 1:3 NASB
Count your blessings!
Over 140 of Sally Ferguson’s devotionals have been published in Pathways to God (Warner Press). She’s also written for Light From The Word, Chautauqua Mirror, Just Between Us, Adult Span Curriculum, Thriving Family, Upgrade with Dawn and ezinearticles.com. Prose Contest Winner at 2017 Greater Philly Christian Writers Conference.
Sally loves organizing retreats and seeing relationships blossom in time away from the daily routine. Her ebook, How to Plan a Women’s Retreat is available on Amazon.
Sally Ferguson lives in the beautiful countryside of Jamestown, NY with her husband and her dad.
Visit Sally’s blog at sallyferguson.net
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