Some stories I hear make life
feel really tough. Interestingly, life gets worse. When I was much younger, I wondered
what the book of Job was all about. I didn’t understand it no matter how many
times I read it. Neither did I see its relevance in the bible. I thought it was
not of benefit to anyone. As I have gotten older and increased in my
understanding of the story, I realize that God certainly allowed it and for
obvious reasons. It is indeed instructive for understanding the dynamics of
life. In a very simply way, it summarizes the life that many believers would live
at one point or the other. There is no doubt that it is meant to be read and
understood especially by a people who have been called to live on earth, as
sheep in the midst of wolves which can’t happen without the wolves troubling
the sheep. Wolves always are described as evil even in children’s cartoon. In
asking us to live in the midst of wolves, the stage is set for us to be
troubled though we are always overcomers and never victims. The “troubles” don’t
determine who we are, God who already won the victory, determines that. He
called us sheep and instructs us to remain sheep in the face of all the
difficulties or challenges we may face.
Mathew 10: 16 “Look, I am sending you out as sheep among wolves. So be
as shrewd as snakes and harmless as doves.”
2 Timothy 3: 12 “Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in
Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.”
Job’s story typifies the life of
a believer, encouraging us to hold on whilst reminding us that inspite of the extent
of one’s difficulty or depth of pain, it will pass. I don’t think it gets worse
than what Job went through. His story prepares one for life as a believer. Dealing
with life is not taught in schools, not even in bible schools, but God uses different
methods to prepare us and Job’s story is one of them. I don’t doubt that no one
can ever be fully prepared to face life’s challenges but it helps to know that
there is no challenge new to humanity and that every challenge has an end. It
is so much easier to hold on knowing that despite the apparent weight of the challenge,
God has not permitted it to destroy one but to release them to greater glory.
We cannot allow life dictate who we are. We are sheep and empowered to reign
despite the presence of an evil one whose only job is to trouble mankind (believers
and unbelievers alike). He knows not how to do well and if he appears to do
well, it is a trap. His thoughts toward us, unlike God’s thoughts, are only evil
so that as soon as he was allowed to touch Job, he did all he knew to do –
steal, kill and destroy. Don’t give up in that your situation; there is an end
to it.
1 Peter 5: 8 “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He
prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”
There is no doubt that Job was
used to living well and enjoyed the honor and accolades he got from the people
around him. Yet God allowed him lose even that alongside all he had. No wonder
he pondered why God won’t take his life. It didn’t make sense to him anymore to
be left on earth. Everything seemed meaningless and God was silent, not offering
any explanations. Who would have thought He was actually rooting for Job all
that time. Heaven held him in high esteem though men looked down on him. While
he was treated with disdain on earth, he was accomplishing God’s purpose. No
wonder it is not wise to judge one’s worth by how much men value them. Who would
have known that God cared so much He was apparently watching over the entire
situation carefully to ensure that Job would not only remain sheep but would be
greater than he ever imagined. It is easy to take for granted that God is not
with anyone going through difficulties but it is not always so. God sometimes
works in unexplainable ways to work wonders. He knows how to bring us out of “it”
just in time and who knows, He may be working another wonder in your life
Romans 8: 28 “…all thing work together for good to them that love God
who are the called according to his purpose.”
1 Corinthians 10: 13 “The temptations in your life are no different
from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the
temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show
you a way out so that you can endure.”
As sheep the wolf will always be a terrifying tormentor threatening to consume our lives wish I would always remember that I have a good shepherd looking out for me, even when looking from the outside all are saying “his own is finished”. Thank you for shining light our way... God bless you Ma.
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