Job 19 presents a powerful example of faith for us. Check it out…
The chapter starts with Job describing his situation…
Job 19:8-21 (NIV)
8He has blocked my way so I cannot pass;
he has shrouded my paths in darkness.9He has stripped me of my honor
and removed the crown from my head.10He tears me down on every side till I am gone;
he uproots my hope like a tree.11His anger burns against me;
he counts me among his enemies.12His troops advance in force;
they build a siege ramp against me
and encamp around my tent.13“He has alienated my brothers from me;
my acquaintances are completely estranged from me.14My kinsmen have gone away;
my friends have forgotten me.15My guests and my maidservants count me a stranger;
they look upon me as an alien.16I summon my servant, but he does not answer,
though I beg him with my own mouth.17My breath is offensive to my wife;
I am loathsome to my own brothers.18Even the little boys scorn me;
when I appear, they ridicule me.19All my intimate friends detest me;
those I love have turned against me.20I am nothing but skin and bones;
I have escaped with only the skin of my teeth.21“Have pity on me, my friends, have pity,
for the hand of God has struck me.
But it’s ending? Incredible faith.
Job 19:25-27 (NIV)
25I know that my Redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.26And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;27I myself will see him
with my own eyes — I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me!
How often do you respond to trouble in such a manner? Appealing to what you know rather than what you feel in the moment… that our Redeemer lives, and that regardless of our situation, His plans and purposes will rule? That after we pass from this world, we will be with God as a result of our faith and trust in Jesus?
I’m just amazed by Job’s continued faith in spite of trouble… trouble most of us can’t imagine, no less.
I couldn’t really find a post that was related to this. I guess Job will have to do because it goes totally contrary to the “word of faith” and “prosperity gospel.” Did you here Hank Hanegraaff’s message today called “Christianity In Crisis?” He totally rips apart the “prosperity gospel.” He uses quotes that these prosperity teachers have spoken and really reveals them for the false teachers that they are. It was cool to here their theology get torn apart and it was also troubling to here how they speak falsely against God. If you haven’t heard it you can go to http://www.oneplace.com and when Hank Hanegraaff’s picture shows up click on it and it will take you to the audio of todays broadcast.