Jump for My Purifying Love
Greetings in the Lord!
Today's scripture will be a combination of Job 2 and Malachi 3:16-4:3---sometimes the Lord has to use two (or more!) scripture references for me to discern the word that He is trying to tell me! :) In Job 2 we read about the second test of Job: being faithful to God during a bodily affliction. In fact, it seems that much of the book of Job revolves around this question: How will a good man act, and what should he think, when he is tested by suffering? Job tells us, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Job2:10b.
Job reveals some deep insights for us. First, we can receive good things from God and we can receive bad things. I realize that this is a very troubling concept for our American church, one so addicted to comfort and blessings. But do not allow yourself to think like Job's erroneous friends: our testings and trials are not the result of an angry God punishing us...in fact, quite the opposite. God was revealing to everyone Job's faith and strengthening it in the process. "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its confinement to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." Romans 8:20-21. Yes, Job's testings were even a declaration to Satan that man can die to flesh and overcome it by the power of Christ living in us. And Job's faith in God, even while he suffered, gave testiment to the rightful hope we put in God for His ultimate vindication of His justice and goodness. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Romans 8:28
During this season of purification in the hearts of believers, we can expect trials to come our way, even physical afflictions. Do not lose hope--remain faithful to God and let our trials become testimonies of God's goodness. Right now I know that many of God's faithful have been suffering; I, too, with unexplainable neck pain. Think back for a moment--has your time of suffering provoked an inner dialogue between you and God similar to that of Job? If so, you are greatly blessed! For unbeknownst to you, that inner dialogue has been a preparation process in which God can now reveal deeper things of Him. Praise Him! But if you are like me, you are happy with that, but tired of suffering just the same. So, take heart with the scripture God gives us today: "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall." Malachi 4:2
Amen and amen!
Be blessed and be a blessing.~
Today's scripture will be a combination of Job 2 and Malachi 3:16-4:3---sometimes the Lord has to use two (or more!) scripture references for me to discern the word that He is trying to tell me! :) In Job 2 we read about the second test of Job: being faithful to God during a bodily affliction. In fact, it seems that much of the book of Job revolves around this question: How will a good man act, and what should he think, when he is tested by suffering? Job tells us, "Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?" Job2:10b.
Job reveals some deep insights for us. First, we can receive good things from God and we can receive bad things. I realize that this is a very troubling concept for our American church, one so addicted to comfort and blessings. But do not allow yourself to think like Job's erroneous friends: our testings and trials are not the result of an angry God punishing us...in fact, quite the opposite. God was revealing to everyone Job's faith and strengthening it in the process. "For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its confinement to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." Romans 8:20-21. Yes, Job's testings were even a declaration to Satan that man can die to flesh and overcome it by the power of Christ living in us. And Job's faith in God, even while he suffered, gave testiment to the rightful hope we put in God for His ultimate vindication of His justice and goodness. "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him..." Romans 8:28
During this season of purification in the hearts of believers, we can expect trials to come our way, even physical afflictions. Do not lose hope--remain faithful to God and let our trials become testimonies of God's goodness. Right now I know that many of God's faithful have been suffering; I, too, with unexplainable neck pain. Think back for a moment--has your time of suffering provoked an inner dialogue between you and God similar to that of Job? If so, you are greatly blessed! For unbeknownst to you, that inner dialogue has been a preparation process in which God can now reveal deeper things of Him. Praise Him! But if you are like me, you are happy with that, but tired of suffering just the same. So, take heart with the scripture God gives us today: "But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall." Malachi 4:2
Amen and amen!
Be blessed and be a blessing.~
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