Part 1 of this blog about Job outlined the cosmic bet between God and Satan. Part 2 dealt with suffering's many struggles. Today we will look at the restoration of Job. Many of you probably already know how the story ends, but that will not be our focus. Because this blog site is all about "Turning Life's Lemons Into Lemonade," we are going to pay close attention to the process in which restoration occurs and identify the keys that unlock Job's troubles. Although the keys for Job might be different than our own, there is a process in which restoration unfolds, and those steps apply to us all.
Step 1: Continue to Seek God!
The first step in Job's restoration is that he continued to seek God. He did not allow his problems to pull him away from God, which is exactly what Satan would like. Both Jeremiah 29:13 and Matthew 7:7-8 tell us that if we will persistently seek God as a vital necessity with our whole heart we will find Him. I know some people think it is disrespectful to seek God with questions, but this is not true. Your questions and frustration do not threaten or anger God. He already knows what you are going to ask, how you feel, and what you need (Matt. 6:8). Just be honest with Him. He is big enough to handle it!
Job peppers God with questions throughout the entire book. Over and over Job struggles with questions that he is blatant with God about. Finally in chapter 38 God responds to Job's inquiries but not with an answer. Instead God has a slew of His own questions for Job. Those questions bring Job to a place of humility and a clear understanding that God is God and Job is not! Job acknowledges this fact when he says, "I now see I have rashly uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know" (Job 42:3). Although this is where God shows up and Job has his epiphany, THIS IS NOT WHERE JOB IS RESTORED. However, it is the first key in the process of Job's restoration ... restoration of the truth of God's sovereignty over his life.
Step 2: Search Yourself!
The second step in Job's restoration is that Job continued to search himself, and the more I study this out the more I'm convinced this step played a huge part in Job's joyous outcome. You see, sin may not be the cause of a problem, but sin can keep you in that problem! As I mentioned in Part 2's blog, the majority of Job's family and friends deserted him when trouble hit. The only friends who remained where ones that tried to convince him this was his fault ... some hidden sin, etc. Throughout Job's journey his friends said many things that made him upset. We know this because of Job's responses to them. Here are a few brief examples ...
1. "No doubt you are the only wise people in the world, and wisdom will die with you! ... I am not inferior to you." (Job 12:2-3)
2. "... wearisome and miserable comforters are you all! Will your futile words of wind have no end? What makes you so bold to answer me like this? ... if you were in my stead; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you." (Job 16:2-4)
3. "How long will you vex and torment me and break me in pieces with words? ... you are not ashamed that you harden yourself against me and deal severely with me." (Job 19:2-3)
4. "Allow me, and I also will speak; and after I have spoken, mock on." (Job 21:3)
Do you sense Job's frustration? Can you imagine your own frustration? Is it possible that Job could have taken offense or became resentful toward his friends? The obvious answer is YES! The Bible never tells us if Job forgave them as he went or if he forgave them in one fail swoop, but I submit to you that Job was placed in a position to show mercy and forgive his friends. Thus, forgiveness became the second key to unlocking his misfortune.
Step 3: Obedience to God's Instructions!
The third step in Job's restoration was obedience to God's instructions and is closely linked to the second key of Job's restoration which is FORGIVENESS. Job 42:7-9 tells us that God was unhappy with Job's friends for not "speaking of Me the thing that was right," and He commanded them to take animals to Job to offer up a burnt offering that JOB is to pray over. Why Job? No where in this entire account is it stated that Job is a priest. But look what happens when we couple the "Forgiveness Factor" with these scriptures ... "When you pray, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him ... so that you may be forgiven" (Mark 11: 25-26). And "Pray for one another that you may be healed and restored" (James 5:16). Forgiveness opens God's ear to our prayers and puts us in a position to receive from Him. Job must have offered up the burnt offering and prayed from a forgiving heart because Job 42:10 says "And the Lord turned the captivity of Job and restored his fortunes, WHEN HE PRAYED FOR HIS FRIENDS ..." The Bible goes on to tell us that God restored double to Job of all he had lost.
Notice the order of restoration ... FIRST was Job's restoration with God. THEN came Job's restoration with his friends. LAST was the physical restoration of Job. So many times we get the cart before the horse. We are after the the deliverence, the healing, the solution to the problem. The Bible says "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and THEN all these things will be added unto you" (Matt. 6:33). God knows when we are seeking His hand instead of His face. Also notice that the restoration process begins WITHIN Job and moves OUT of him. It begins with a change of heart toward God, moves to a change in attitude and action toward his friends, and culminates in a physical manifestation of complete deliverence. 3 John 1:2 says "Beloved, I pray that you be in health and prosper EVEN AS YOUR SOUL PROSPERS." Our outward prospering is linked to our inward prospering. As I mentioned in my last blog, change in us always comes before change around us will, and no one can change us like God can.
Although Satan is the source of the lemon, that lemon puts you in line for promotion. "Instead of your former shame you shall have a twofold recompense; instead of dishonor you shall rejoice in your portion. Therefore in their land they shall possess double; everlasting joy shall be theirs" (Is. 61:7). When we are handed a lemon if we will continue to seek the Lord, observe His commands, and obey His instruction we set ourselves up for the double! God promises to restore the years that are lost (Joel 2:25), make beauty from ashes (Is. 61:3), and that those who sow in tears will reap in joy (Psalm 126:5). He is a God that does exceedingly, abundantly above all we can ask or even think (Eph. 3:20). Just look at what He did for Job!
The last thing I want to point out is the words of Job 16:21 "Oh, that there were one who might plead for a man with God and that he might maintain his right with Him ..." How fortunate and blessed we are to live in the time that Job speaks of! "For there is only one God, and only one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus" (1 Tim. 2:5). Remember, Job is the oldest book in the Bible. These events took place long before Moses recounts creation in Genesis. Job didn't have a Bible! If Job could have such great faith in God, how much more should we have through the written word and shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? He is seated at the right hand of God the Father pleading intercession for us (Rom. 8:34). Because He suffered and was tempted, tested, and tried, Hebrews 2:18 tells us He RUNS to the cry of those who also are being tempted, tested, and tried. My friend, He was victorious. Let Him lead you to victory too!
Monday, July 30, 2012
Friday, July 13, 2012
A Lemon Tree (Part 2, Suffering's Struggles)
Although we left Part 1 of this blog about Job with a warm, fuzzy feeling about Job's predicament we have to remember that he isn't privied to these conversations between God and Satan. He has no idea why these things have happened in his life. He does the best he can with the lemons he is handed. This is where the rubber meets the road so to speak. Quite possibly this is where you may be, and this is where we are going to see the similarities between Job's thoughts and feelings and our own. It's funny, as much as civilization has advanced since Job's day, human nature has pretty much stayed the same.
The central theme and main struggle for Job is why. If you've been handed a lemon you can already relate, right? However, Job's question goes further ... "Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper?" These questions are echoed throughout the book of Job. (Job 9:24, Job 10:3, Job 12:6, Job 21:7). I have met many people who have asked me this same question, and years ago I recall asking God this question myself. The two things God eventually showed me are- 1) We have to realize that from Satan's perspective the current status of the souls of worldly people is that they are lost. Why would Satan waste his time bothering people who are already going to hell? (Not to say he doesn't mess with the unsaved. He will steal, kill, and destroy from anyone he can). But ultimately Satan is after Christians to see them renounce God and become damned like he is. 2) Conversely, from God's perspective we know anything He allows in our life He has a plan and purpose for. Chances are what God wants to accomplish will require faith and trust in Him. Attributes only Christan's possess.
The secondary struggle for Job is his relationships with others. At the onset of trouble his own wife tells him to "renounce God and die" (Job 2:9). Talk about a supportive spouse! But that's another topic ... and perhaps a completely different blog! Anyway, Job has three friends who come to comfort him, but they keep insisting there must be some sin in Job's life that has caused this to happen. As humans we want so badly to feel we have control. We want to equate suffering with sin and convince ourselves that our good behavior will safeguard against affliction. So Job 7:20&21 and Job 13:23&24 finds Job contending with his friends and God about any hidden sin in his life. He even begins to wonder if it is a sin from his youth (Job 13:26). Finally in Job 19:4 we see him reject the notion of a hidden sin as the source of his suffering. He has come to the same conclusion many of us come to and that is the fact that we would know if there was sin in our life, and if we didn't certainly God would show us if we did.
Job also deals with alienation of friends and family members. We see this in Job 16:7 and Job 19:13-19. The lemon is many times too bitter for the people around us. Why is it that when we need the support of others most, we find ourselves alone? Maybe it's because of our own reactions to these troubles. Maybe it's because people feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say. But I think the biggest reason people flee in the time of trouble is because no one wants to be reminded of their own vulnerability to life. The more random the affliction, the more it scares people.
Through my own experience I've found that when we tend to lean on others too much, they will through varies means, be removed. For example, around the time I realized something wasn't quite right with my youngest son my mom was busy caring for my dad who was fighting cancer and my best friend was in the process of moving away. Isolation many times is an indicator that God is about to do a work in you. Embrace this time of teaching and correction because the truth is change in us has to come before change around us will.
Trials are a refining process. "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold" (Job 23:10). "And I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested" (Zechariah 13:9). These scriptures remind me of the story of a woman who after reading Zech. 13:9 decided to go to a silversmith to find out exactly how silver is refined. She watched as the silversmith diligently kept watch over the silver, putting it in and taking it out of the fire. The lady thought, "Oh I see. Look how tenderly and lovingly the Lord watches over us while we are in the fire knowing exactly when we need to be removed." Satisfied with the conclusion she had reached she opened the door to leave, when suddenly she thought of one more question. "How do you know when the silver is completely refined?" The silversmith replied, "When I can see my reflection in it." Pretty powerful to ponder, isn't it?
"Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!" (Job 19:23). I'm so glad they were! We can learn alot about times of trial through Job. The interesting thing is the number of times Job speaks truly incredible and prophetic words about his situation. Words of hope that rose out of a man put to the test. "I know that my Redeemer lives ... my eyes shall behold Him, AND NOT AS A STRANGER" (Job 19:25&27). As we read the last chapter of Job we see this is indeed the outcome. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my spiritual eye SEES YOU" (Job 42:5). The process we go through when we are handed a lemon has the potential to lead us to a deeper understanding of God. A head knowledge that is replaced by a revelation of the heart and a more intimate connectedness with our Lord.
As one of my favorite poets, Helen Steiner Rice, wrote while closing a poem on the whys of suffering ... " I ask myself this and the answer is plain- If my life were all pleasure and I never knew pain, I'd seek God less often and need Him much less, For God's sought more often in times of distress. And no one knows God or sees Him as plain as those who have met Him on the pathway of pain."
Lord God, may the lemons in my life draw me closer to you.
* Next Blog "A Lemon Tree (Part 3), Keys to Restoration"
The central theme and main struggle for Job is why. If you've been handed a lemon you can already relate, right? However, Job's question goes further ... "Why do the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper?" These questions are echoed throughout the book of Job. (Job 9:24, Job 10:3, Job 12:6, Job 21:7). I have met many people who have asked me this same question, and years ago I recall asking God this question myself. The two things God eventually showed me are- 1) We have to realize that from Satan's perspective the current status of the souls of worldly people is that they are lost. Why would Satan waste his time bothering people who are already going to hell? (Not to say he doesn't mess with the unsaved. He will steal, kill, and destroy from anyone he can). But ultimately Satan is after Christians to see them renounce God and become damned like he is. 2) Conversely, from God's perspective we know anything He allows in our life He has a plan and purpose for. Chances are what God wants to accomplish will require faith and trust in Him. Attributes only Christan's possess.
The secondary struggle for Job is his relationships with others. At the onset of trouble his own wife tells him to "renounce God and die" (Job 2:9). Talk about a supportive spouse! But that's another topic ... and perhaps a completely different blog! Anyway, Job has three friends who come to comfort him, but they keep insisting there must be some sin in Job's life that has caused this to happen. As humans we want so badly to feel we have control. We want to equate suffering with sin and convince ourselves that our good behavior will safeguard against affliction. So Job 7:20&21 and Job 13:23&24 finds Job contending with his friends and God about any hidden sin in his life. He even begins to wonder if it is a sin from his youth (Job 13:26). Finally in Job 19:4 we see him reject the notion of a hidden sin as the source of his suffering. He has come to the same conclusion many of us come to and that is the fact that we would know if there was sin in our life, and if we didn't certainly God would show us if we did.
Job also deals with alienation of friends and family members. We see this in Job 16:7 and Job 19:13-19. The lemon is many times too bitter for the people around us. Why is it that when we need the support of others most, we find ourselves alone? Maybe it's because of our own reactions to these troubles. Maybe it's because people feel uncomfortable and don't know what to say. But I think the biggest reason people flee in the time of trouble is because no one wants to be reminded of their own vulnerability to life. The more random the affliction, the more it scares people.
Through my own experience I've found that when we tend to lean on others too much, they will through varies means, be removed. For example, around the time I realized something wasn't quite right with my youngest son my mom was busy caring for my dad who was fighting cancer and my best friend was in the process of moving away. Isolation many times is an indicator that God is about to do a work in you. Embrace this time of teaching and correction because the truth is change in us has to come before change around us will.
Trials are a refining process. "When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold" (Job 23:10). "And I will bring them through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined and will test them as gold is tested" (Zechariah 13:9). These scriptures remind me of the story of a woman who after reading Zech. 13:9 decided to go to a silversmith to find out exactly how silver is refined. She watched as the silversmith diligently kept watch over the silver, putting it in and taking it out of the fire. The lady thought, "Oh I see. Look how tenderly and lovingly the Lord watches over us while we are in the fire knowing exactly when we need to be removed." Satisfied with the conclusion she had reached she opened the door to leave, when suddenly she thought of one more question. "How do you know when the silver is completely refined?" The silversmith replied, "When I can see my reflection in it." Pretty powerful to ponder, isn't it?
"Oh, that the words I now speak were written! Oh, that they were inscribed in a book!" (Job 19:23). I'm so glad they were! We can learn alot about times of trial through Job. The interesting thing is the number of times Job speaks truly incredible and prophetic words about his situation. Words of hope that rose out of a man put to the test. "I know that my Redeemer lives ... my eyes shall behold Him, AND NOT AS A STRANGER" (Job 19:25&27). As we read the last chapter of Job we see this is indeed the outcome. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my spiritual eye SEES YOU" (Job 42:5). The process we go through when we are handed a lemon has the potential to lead us to a deeper understanding of God. A head knowledge that is replaced by a revelation of the heart and a more intimate connectedness with our Lord.
As one of my favorite poets, Helen Steiner Rice, wrote while closing a poem on the whys of suffering ... " I ask myself this and the answer is plain- If my life were all pleasure and I never knew pain, I'd seek God less often and need Him much less, For God's sought more often in times of distress. And no one knows God or sees Him as plain as those who have met Him on the pathway of pain."
Lord God, may the lemons in my life draw me closer to you.
* Next Blog "A Lemon Tree (Part 3), Keys to Restoration"
Tuesday, July 10, 2012
A Lemon Tree (Part 1, The Cosmic Bet)
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