After Job had prayed for his friends, the LORD restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the LORD had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.
The LORD blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters. The first daughter he named Jemimah, the second Keziah and the third Keren-Happuch. Nowhere in all the land were there found women as beautiful as Job’s daughters, and their father granted them an inheritance along with their brothers. After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so Job died, an old man and full of years. (Job 42:7-17)
Through all of Job's trials, God remains faithful to see Job through and uses him for His purpose. He blesses this beaten down man more abundantly than he could have ever imagined! And not only does God bless Job, but he extends blessings onto his family as well as his friends. Friends, mind you, that in the beginning were not abiding in the complete ways of the Lord as they should. But through Job's trial, not only does Job learn and grow, but his friends and family are also brought back into alignment with God and are blessed.
Isn't that just like God? Isn't it just like Him to use one broken but willing person to influence many who are still struggling and in bondage? Of course it is. Look at Abraham. Look at Moses. Look at David. Look at Paul. All were broken down in one way or another by sinful pride and human trouble. However, all were still willing to love and obey their Master first. They feared more the thought of being without God over any reality of endured hardship. They loved the promise of their Messiah more than the false securities offered by the enemy.
Job was no different. Sure, he wasn't perfect. He even came to a point where he not only questioned God "why" things were happening to him, but he also made his sufferings a means for prideful attention and drama. But deep down, God knew Job was a man who feared Him and shunned evil. So, to get Job's attention, God used another random "big-Godder" person to set Job straight in his thinking: Elihu. Upon hearing sound wisdom from Elihu, Job saw past the popular worldly point of view, and took in God's higher ways rather than remain trapped in his own storm of sorrow.
The book of Job carries an interesting theme, doesn't it? It is the theme of one person standing firm in the secure love and sovereignty of the Almighty King so that our Master's holy domino effect of truth can penetrate others in need of sound wisdom and comfort. It is the promise that nothing is bigger than the Lord, and with our eyes focused on Him, every believer can come out ahead of all adversity and continue to be blessed while also choosing to be a blessing! We are to support and uplift one another in Jesus always. No matter what we face in this life, we are to remain close to His truths as we first seek the light of His Word through the worst and darkest of days.
What happens when Christians live like this? What happens when God's people believe their King first and love each other through the worst this sinful earth can dish out? I'll tell you what happens... we prevail! We prevail in Jesus Name! We prevail in Jesus Name and He blesses us! We prevail in Jesus Name and He blesses us and exposes His glorious plan of redemption through our very lives so that we may be a benefit to others! We become living testimonies of the Lord Almighty's grace! What an awesome honor to endure hardship for the purpose of becoming ambassadors to His kingdom. God uses us as breathing instruments who promote His salvation so that others may learn His Way and also be given the opportunity to do what is right and pleasing and good. And what is the result? A new Way. A higher perspective. A new life with an eternal family willing to LOVE God and each other no matter what. Is this how you are living today? If not, why not? Are you not a child of the King of kings? Yes? Then believe and rejoice! Nothing is greater than our God... NOTHING!
The message of Job is God's message of peace through the storm by Way of Christ Jesus. It is a promise that we can overcome the corrupt sin and horrible sufferings of this world by willingly trusting our Savior through every difficult trial that comes. Remember, our Creator oversees all things and has graciously offered to guide His people through every second of time. Will you follow His guidance? Oh, I hope so. For His plan leads to LIFE!
Ladies, every difficult experience is intended to lead us into a new level of understanding through lessons uniquely designed by our perfect Teacher. Why? So that we may retain His holiness in our lives and spread His love to others in need of His redemption. God always wins. So, let's allow Him to use us as broken but willing instruments that showcase His victory rather than remain stumbling blocks for Satan's sinful problem! That ole' enemy won't last, you know. He has no authority over our King and will be thrown away with all trash of unholiness. So stand firm... stand soundly in Christ's wisdom and rejoice! In Jesus, we are more than conquerors and will one day be completely restored! Things may seem bleak for a season, a decade, a lifetime... but if we continue to abide in Him, we will indeed win and be blessed... and become blessings to boot! WOO HOO! Remember, God is ALWAYS in control of our lives, and in the end, God always wins. Period!
So, what should you do today as you face discouragement? Choose to trust God first. Choose to believe and abide in His Word and rejoice in His love and hope! The pain of today is temporary, and the sorrow of this time will be wiped clean. Jesus will restore His own to His Father's kingdom! So, stand firm in your faith and rejoice, dear believer. He knows what you can handle and will give you no more than that. He will supply all your needs as well as bless you in ways you could never imagine.
There is nothing (no loss, no hardship, no sickness, no pain, no relationship, no agenda... nothing!) that triumphs over the magnificence and glory of the King of kings! This is all you need focus on today, dear Job. For your inheritance awaits you in your Father's house. So, stay the course. Your trial will be worth it... He promised! Keep on keeping on! Climb that mountain! Run this race! Just keep moving forward in His truth, and encourage and pray for your brothers and sisters in Christ. Very, very soon, you will see Jesus' beautiful face and hear His loving voice proclaim, "Well done, my good... my faithful... my beloved!" Exhale the peace and calm of this wonderful promise, then inhale His truth again... and again... and again...
You will overcome and win because He has already overcome and won! Victory through every storm, dear believer! Victory in Jesus! Amen!
I heard an old, old story,
How a Savior came from glory,
How He gave His life on Calvary
To save a wretch like me;
I heard about His groaning,
Of His precious blood's atoning,
Then I repented of my sins;
And won the victory.
Chorus:
O victory in Jesus,
My Savior, forever.
He sought me and bought me
With His redeeming blood;
He loved me ere I knew Him,
And all my love is due Him,
He plunged me to victory,
Beneath the cleansing flood.
I heard about His healing,
Of His cleansing power revealing.
How He made the lame to walk again
And caused the blind to see;
And then I cried, "Dear Jesus,
Come and heal my broken spirit,"
And somehow Jesus came and brought
To me the victory.
I heard about a mansion
He has built for me in glory.
And I heard about the streets of gold
Beyond the crystal sea;
About the angels singing,
And the old redemption story,
And some sweet day I'll sing up there
The song of victory.
(By Eugene Monroe Bartlett, 1939)
Blessings!
~Victoria
© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson
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