Drawn to Job

Finding time for the Bible in our busy lives can be difficult; we have to make God a priority. Scheduling a time during the day is the best way of starting a habit. We do this to make sure we make it to the gym each week, we should be able to incorporate a Bible study the same way. Making sure we spend time evenly in the old and new testaments. Since our faith is based majorly in the New testament that we forget the importance of the Old. The only reason our faith is valid is because of the prophesies that Jesus fulfilled that were written down in the Old testament. To better understand his character and our faith we have to read the Bible as a whole unit, not two.
As Christians we still receive trials throughout our life. We are not exempt from hardship as believers however, we can go through our trials knowing that the Lord is on our side.

      Philippians 4:13 
                 " 3 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."

To learn about trials and how to endure through them I believe the book of Job has the best examples. Have you ever felt drawn to read a book? I have, and usually it is toward the book of Job.

I have learned over time that this is the Holy Spirit talking to me, and His way of preparing me for the next season of life. Job is a book about faith, perseverance, and humility. This book allows us to see how the spiritual world works, and how God allows the Devil to work in our lives, for our benefit. The thought of the Devil working in our lives doesn't sound beneficial, but it is by God's will.

      Job 1:7-12
              "7 And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?”So Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.”8 Then 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, one who fears God and shuns evil?” 9 So Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!”12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”"

The Lord allows the Devil have a hand in our lives so we will trust in Him to lead, and guide us through our trials. He will only give us what He knows we can handle. He brought Job to the Devil's attention because He knew he was an upright man, who was righteous and trusted in the Lord. Because of Job's faith the Lord had blessed him greatly. He was considered the wealthiest man in the East; with a large family, many possessions and an abundance of land. However, the Lord allowed the Devil to use Job's possessions and success to inflict pain upon him to try to get him to abandon the Lord. In one day Job lost everything, this livestock, servants and then his children. However, instead of cursing the Lord, as the Devil wanted, he worshiped. Now his worship was not a song of praise, but a prayer. 

         Job 1:21

                 "21 And he said:“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.”

Job went to the Lord in his time of trial with the knowledge that He was in control. He trusted in the Lord to help him through his time of need. We need to do the same in every trial, no matter the difficulty. 

       Philippians 4: 6-8

                "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; 7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus."

We cannot have only good in our lives. We have to accept the trials as well. When we get married we take vows for better and for worse; the same applies to God. We need to hold steadfast in him no matter what is happening in our lives. Trials show the true nature of our heart. Will we stay true to the Lord, or will we abandon Him and go our own way? Job trusted in the Lord to bring him out of his trial while his friends and wife were telling him to curse God and go his own way. This is an example of God building us up upon himself, this life is temporary and we need to base ourselves firmly in the one who will last forever. Job knew this, and it is one of the reasons that he held steadfast to the Lord. 

         Job 19: 25-27
           "25. For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26. And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27. Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another.How my heart yearns within me!" 

The Lord loves us all in our times of need and plenty, and he reveals His divine power and majesty to us during our tribulation. In Job chapters 38-41 we learn of the wondrous powers and authority God holds over the universe. How he laid the foundations of the world, drew boundaries for the seas, brings forth the season for animals to have their young, and commands the Eagle to fly. He has the power and grace to bring us through our trials if we trust in Him. We must go to Him in thanksgiving and wait on His deliverance. It may not be in the way we would like but God has a plan for our life that is fruitful and blessed.

         Lamentations 3: 24-25
                  24. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul,“Therefore I hope in Him!” The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, To the soul who seeks Him.

By believing and trusting in the Lord, Job was renewed and known as righteous in the eyes of the Lord and in the eyes of those around him.

       Job 42:10  
                 10. And the Lord restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before.


Here is a great Bible study packet for Job if you want to dive in a little further. 
You should also check out Good Morning Girls Resources , she has a great color-coded bookmark for Bible study and reading. While you are here take a peak at my Bible Study page; there are some great examples for studying God's Word.