Comfort and Edify One Another

 

 

Job 2-5

 

 

When three of Jobs friends heard of all that was going on in Jobs life, they set out to see him. They went to mourn with and comfort him.When they arrived they didn't even recognize Job. They raised up their voices and wept, tore their robes, and sprinkled dust on his head toward heaven. They could clearly see that his grief was great so they sat with him, in silence, for seven days.

Job was so distraught that he began to curse the day that he was born. He poured his heart out about the frustrations and grief that he was going through.

When he was finished, his friends all had something to say about his situation.

Today we're going to look at what Eliphaz had to say.

First, he told Job that his outburst was an embarrassment to himself because Job had always been the one of instruction, strength, and wisdom to all who were going through adversity, yet he himself didn't take his own advice, and was troubled because of his adversity.

 

So many Christians believe that if they are going through adversity that they should just keep their frustration and grief bottled up inside.

 After all, what would people think if they actually expressed their feelings?

 People don't want others to know what's going on in their lives because they fear judgement from others. That fear isn't from God.

 

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

2 Timothy 1:7

 

We are to share our lives with one another. When we do, it allows them a chance to use the gifts the Lord has given to them, as well as, brings hope to others.

Let me give you an example.

When I first started going to Calvary Chapel in Greer, SC, I felt as if I was the only one struggling with life. Every time I saw the ladies at the church, I would become more and more discouraged, because I thought that they had it all together. Honestly, I felt as if I didn't belong. That time of year came when it was time for the Ladies Retreat. I was being encouraged to go, but I really didn't want to because my life was a mess. With much thought and a bit of pressure, I decided to go. I still was nervous though.

That was one of  the BEST things I've ever done!!

While I was there, I began sharing things about my life with some of the women, and, you know what? Some of them were going through or had gone through exactly what I was. The ones who had already been there, encouraged me and gave me hope that things would change. Those of us going through the same things, at present, developed a bond, enabling us to share our thoughts, feelings,etc, encourage, and love on each other.

You see, sharing your frustrations and grief doesn't make you less of a Christian.

God uses each of our circumstances to not only strengthen our faith, but to help others through their own circumstances. There is absolutely nothing wrong with letting people know your frustrations and griefs. So don't let anyone tell you anything different.

As a part of the body of Christ we are one in Christ. We are to love and encourage one another.

 

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

 1Thessalonians 5:11

 

 

If that wasn't bad enough, Eliphaz then told Job that he had a vision in the night, where a spirit told him that Job was going through all that he was because of his sin, that he needed to repent, and then God would heal, bring prosperity, and long life to him.

This spirit was deceiving Eliphaz. This spirit was to discourage and frustrate Job even more than he already was, so he would curse God, but Eliphaz did not test the spirit, as we are all supposed to.

 

Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:1

 

The Proof

The spirit brought fear and trembling (v14)
As we know, God has not given us a spirit of fear.

Even God recognized Job as blameless and upright.

Jobs life demonstrated who he was and for whom he was living.

In no way did Jobs life demonstrate that he was, or thought he was, more righteous or more pure  than God, which the spirit implied. (v 17)

Do you see it?

 

One thing I want to make very clear is this....

Just because someone is going through adversity doesn't mean it's because of sin in their lives.

Job was blameless, yet the Lord gave satan permission to do these things to him to prove his faith and to bring glory to Himself.

So, when you see someone going through adversity, don't be quick to judge why, instead, pray for, encourage, comfort, and love on them.

 

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

Colossians 3:16

 

 

 

What Do You Choose?

 

(Job 2:1-10)

 

Satan comes before God a second time.

This time God points out that even though Job has lost virtually everything, his integrity still remains in tact. He is still standing strong in the Lord.

Satan's reply?

"Skin for skin, yes, all that a man he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face!" (Job 2:4-5)

Satan believed that if the Lord allowed him to inflict physical infirmities on Job that he would curse God.

Again, God gave satan permission to do as he wished, with one exception. He could not kill Job.

So, he made Job have painful boils from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.

Job was in a lot of pain, yet he sat in the ashes, scraping himself with broken pottery, saying nothing.

As his wife watched him going through such torment, she was probably heartbroken because she loved Job and didn't want to see him suffer anymore. She was already distraught over losing everything, including her children, and now she watched as her husband was in tortuous pain.

In her fragile emotional state she tells Job to curse God and die.

 

It's interesting the things that are said when one is emotionally vulnerable. More interesting to me, was the fact that she encouraged her husband, who was known to be blameless and upright, to abandon everything he believed because he was suffering. Instead she should have been praying for and encouraging him to persevere. 

 When you suffer, your loved ones mean well, but sometimes they unwittingly encourage you to give in to your flesh, because they feel your pain and are too emotional to see beyond that. You must not give in to your flesh, but must continue in your faith, to live a life that glorifies God, even in the midst of pain. You must continue to persevere, knowing that God has a plan for even this.

 

Are you going through adversity in the form of an illness or disease?

I have been for many years now. I've been to more doctors than ever in my lifetime, had more tests done, been poked and prodded, and still, no one can figure out what is wrong with me.

I am in pain daily, some days are worse than others, and to top it off,I am without medical insurance now and  I recently (within the last 6 months) tore the rotator cuff of my left shoulder, which means more pain.

In it all, I know that God is with me.

 

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there; If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning, And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me, And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, "Surely the darkness shall fall  on me," Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, But the night shines as the day; The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

Psalm 139:7-12

 

 

He gives me strength, when I have none.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

2 Corinthians 12:10

 

 

Wait on the LORD; Be of good courage, And He shall strengthen your heart; Wait, I say, on the LORD!

Psalm 27:14

 

 

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Philippians 4:13

He encourages me through His Word.

How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

Psalm 119:103

Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light to my path.

Psalm 119:105

He keeps me in His care,gives me rest and comforts me.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.

He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.

Psalm 23:1-4

We all have issues to deal with, some worse than others, but having a close personal relationship with Jesus Christ makes life worth living, even when things are difficult.

How are you choosing to deal with your infirmities?

Believe it or not, you do have a choice.

You can choose to be miserable, bitter, and discontent with the state that you're in, OR, you can choose to cling to Jesus and allow Him to give you His joy in the midst of it, and His peace that passes all understanding.

What are you going to choose?

I choose Jesus!!

When Tragedy Strikes Part 2

 

In all this Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong. (Job 1:22)

 

 

Job lost his prestige, wealth and material possessions, and worst of all,  his 7 children died on the same day as a result of the oldest sons home collapsing on top of them.

Talk about tragic!!

Even through his great loss, he never once sinned or blamed God for it.

If you were Job, how would you react to this news?

If you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, I would hope that you know God so intimately that you would react in a similar fashion as Job did. When we intimately know God then we know, without a shadow of a doubt, who He is and that we can trust that what He is allowing is for our good.

It's not easy going through personal tragedy.

I know this all too well.

I've experienced several suicides of people in whom I loved dearly,  physical abuse, the loss of 3 babies, etc, etc, etc.

Through it all I didn't blame God.

I didn't understand, but I knew that God had allowed every circumstance for the good of many.

I know God is a God of love.

 I've experienced it first hand.

 

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

"For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

 

And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him.

1 John 4:16

 

I know suffering is a part of life.

Why?

Because in suffering our faith is perfected.

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

God is just.

He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

Deuteronomy 32:4

 

 

 

God has purpose for everything that we go through.

One of those purposes is to conform us into the image of His Son, Jesus Christ.
 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Romans 8:28-29

 

Suffering proves the genuineness of your faith.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,

to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

who are kept by the power of God through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials,

that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ,

1 Peter 1 :3-7

When you go through suffering, the Lord will bring comfort to you.

The suffering you go through will be used in the lives of others.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,

who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.

2 Corinthians 1:3-5

As you can see, suffering may not be fun, but it is a part of our growth, as well as those around us.

 Rest assured, that no matter what you're going through now, if you have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, one day the suffering will cease. Continue to hold on to Jesus and watch what He does in and through you.

 

But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

 

1 Peter 5:10

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Revelation 21:4

When Tragedy Strikes Part 1

 

Notice the title, "When Tragedy Strikes."

At one time or another you will go through some type of tragedy, but how are you to handle it?

Let's take a look at Job to gain some insight.

 

Satan stood before God one day.He had been roaming the earth.

 Why?

 He was probably looking for someone to test, at least that's what I gather from the text.

 

The Lord asked him if he had considered His servant Job.

He knew that Job was unlike any on the earth (v8). He was blameless, upright, feared God, and shunned evil.
 Isn't that amazing that God Himself viewed Job as all of those things. WoW.

Satan challenged Jobs character.
He told the Lord that the only reason Job was such a faithful servant was because he and his family were always protected,  the works of his hands were blessed, and he had no need or want because of his great wealth and possessions.

Satan told God that if He took away all that Job had that he would surely curse Him to His face.(v11)

So, the Lord gave satan permission to test Job with only one requirement; he could not lay a hand on Jobs person.

Did you see that?
The Lord gave satan permission to test Job.

He can do nothing unless he goes through God first.

Satan can do nothing to any of God's children without God's permission!!

That means that God still has control over what is going on in your life!!

He has allowed trials, circumstances, tragedies in your life for a purpose.

Why would God give satan this permission?

I believe, in Jobs case as well as yours, that He allows these things to grow your faith, to conform you into His Sons, Jesus', image, and to prove to satan that you are His faithful servant.

 

 

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

Romans 8:28-31

 

  

Let's look at what happened next....

Satan destroyed EVERYTHING that Job had....he killed his servants, livestock, and his children.

He took everything from Job. His status, his wealth, and the thing he loved the most, his childern...and that all on the same day.

Talk about tragedy.

 

But, what did Job do?

How did he handle to news of so much devestation?

 

"Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshipped,

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."

 

  

Did you catch that?

JOB WORSHIPPED GOD!!!

What an amazingly powerful testimony.

That's not to say that he didn't mourn for his loss. He definitely did, as you can see in the Scriptures above.

 

How do you handle tragedy, trials, circumstances?

Do you have such a close relationship with God that you handle them as Job did?

 

It's ok to mourn a loss. You are human. Just don't stay there.

This is your chance to glorify God, to prove your faith, and to let the whole world see Jesus.

 

 

My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.

But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

James 1:2-4
 

Don't let your tragedy ruin your life.

I've been through many tragedies, but I've learned through them all, that as I continue to seek the Lord, knowing Him more intimately, and am obedient to what He has shown me, when the tragedies come I can rest assured knowing that He has a purpose, for me as well as those watching me, and is with me through it all.

 

 

"Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

Joshua 1:9

What are Your Priorities?

Job was a man who was not only considered blameless and upright, but he was a man of great wealth. Not only did he have many material possessions, but he had a wife, 7 sons and 3 daughters. What fun that would have been at their family gatherings. :) He was certainly blessed beyond measure.

Job loved God and his family very much, and was very concerned with their spiritual well-being. He regularly  offered burt offerings to God according to the number of each of his children just in case they had sinned and cursed God in their hearts.

 

Although Job was a man of great wealth, that wasn't his priority.

His devotion to God was first and foremost and then his family came next.

He knew that wealth meant nothing. That it could be taken away at any moment.

He knew that His relationship with God and his families spiritual well-being was far more important than any amount of prosperity.

 

Are you chasing after money?

Is your relationship with the Lord taking a back seat to your endeavors to obtain wealth?

Is your family suffering because of of your desire to have more?

 

Money is necessary, but it should NEVER be the priority!!!

 

Now godliness with contentment is great gain.

For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and

into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

1 Timothy 6:6-10

 

Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!

Will you set your eyes on that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings; They fly away like an eagle toward heaven.

Proverbs 23:4-5

 

Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all these thing will be added unto you.

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Matthew 6:33-34

 

"Therefore you shall lay up these words of mine in your heart and in your soul, and bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.

"You shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.

"And you shall write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates,

"that your days and the days of your children may be multiplied in the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, like the days of the heavens above the earth.

"For if you carefully keep all these commandments which I command you to do--to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, and to hold fast to Him--

"then the LORD will drive out all these nations from before you, and you will dispossess greater and mightier nations than yourselves.

Deuteronomy 11:18-23

Lessons from Job

Job 1

Job was a man who was blameless and upright. He feared God and shunned evil. (v1)

How can a person be considered blameless and upright?

What does it mean to fear God?

What does it mean to shun evil?

Our God is a God of love. He doesn't wish that any bad come to us. It's a matter of fact that, if we sin, we choose to be out from under the covering of protection that God shelters us with. When we are without His protection, because of our own doing, then whatever bad befalls us is on us.

A healthy fear of God is reverent.

Reverence means: a respectful, submissive attitude of mind resulting in affection and esteem for the person to which it is directed.

This reverence keeps us obedient.

Our fear of God is just like a child/parent relationship (should be). If we love our parents, we will show them our love as we are obedient to them. The same is true of our relationship with God.

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." John 14:15

Job had a healthy fear of God. He understood that if he said he loved God then he needed to prove it through the way he lived his life. This is why he was considered blameless and upright.

He loved God, therefore, he shunned evil. Shunning evil is easier than most people make it.

To shun means: to avoid deliberately; keep away from.

Do you see that?

Job deliberately avoided those things that would cause him to sin.

He made a conscience choice to avoid sin at all costs. Why?

Because he feared God.

Do you have a healthy fear of God?

Are you making a conscience choice to avoid things that could cause you to fall into sin?

Would God describe you as blameless and upright?

 

Blessed is he whose trangession is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Ps 32:1,2

 

 

Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.They are new every morning. Great is Your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22,23