Job moments - Being a faithful servant

When I think of the book of Job I think of words like despair, loss, trials...but Job's story is really that of strength, boldness, and grace. Job was a God-fearing man and there was none like him. He was a man of great wealth and prosperity, however, his family did not walk in the same way - they were wicked in mind and action. Job's faith was unshakeable because it was built upon his confidence that God's ultimate purpose will come to pass. What did it look like to be blameless before God? Job set a godly example as a father, praying for purification for his children. Job was a godly spiritual leader of his household and had a heart of devotion. All this was a winning combination for him to be the perfect target for Satan because he walked blameless and upright in the sight of the Lord. So why wouldn't we who have chosen to serve God with our lives and have a heart of devotion towards God not also be susceptible to attacks. As many believe Satan is the opposite to God, they are wrongly mistaken, Satan was a created being by God, he does not have free reign, God is still over him and limits him as to what he can do. In Job 1:6-12 We see Satan is still accountable to God, we have a God who is omnipresent, but Satan can only be in one place at one time...and as a created being he cannot read our thoughts or foretell our futures. Unfortunately many Christians believe in these lies and so live in fear, but haven't they heard He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world? (1 John 4:4) Believe on this! Job is a model of trust and obedience - the world will especially keep their eyes on you when you are going through testing and trials to wait for your response...will it be "Why me?" or "Use me!" Adversity will always destroy the superficial faith, but it will have the opposite effect on deep rooted faith in that it strengthens and causes the roots to just dig deeper into God to withstand the storms. God allowed these "curses" to rock Job, but He would not allow a finger to be laid on him. God already knew Satan's decision when He said, "Have you considered my servant Job," and in a sense offered him up knowing Job's love, devotion, and faith in Him was strong, and would ultimately bring Him glory. Job proved this in his response to hearing one loss after another "he fell to the ground and WORSHIPPED!" even in a time of overwhelming grief...he STILL acknowledged Gods sovereignty, Job loved God for who He is NOT what He gives...though Job had everything he counted it all as loss. "Naked I came into the world - naked I will return...The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord" Job recognized all was the Lord's and not once did Job sin or charge God with any wrong done to him. Satan did not give up, but kept approaching God determined to prove God wrong and Job weak. God commended Job for maintaining his integrity...what a wonderful honor! We DAILY need to maintain our integrity as Christian men and women...integrity is worth far more in this world than any material wealth we can obtain. It is a person of integrity that walks SECURELY...integrity will guide you. Bloodthirsty men HATE a man of integrity. Satan uses Gods allowances to cause us to doubt, when God desires them to cause us to cling, for He never leaves us nor forsakes us. Job shows a broader perspective going beyond himself, allowing his faith to grow. Do we look at our present trials as weighty burdens or do we look at them as strengthening challenges? I have been on both sides of the fence and I can tell you I hope that I can always look at my trials as Job did...circumstances God willed to put in my path to make me stronger and to bring my Father glory. The deeper our relationship with the Lord goes the closer we get to the fire and constantly seem to be refined. God does not forget to reveal to us Job's humanity in his story...he struggled greatly emotionally, physically, and spiritually. His anguish and misery went deeper than any of us may ever know and I pray that we never will have to. We should never underestimate our vulnerability during times of suffering and pain - HOLD TIGHT to your faith, even when it seems you have not a glimpse of relief in the horizon...Set your eyes on Jesus - your only hope. Job was in extreme physical pain on top of dealing with and mourning the loss of his family...I would think anyone in his position would just want to die and go to glory (just as he was advised to by his loved ones "curse God and die"...let go...stop fighting) And I can say there have been moments in my life during struggles, trials, and pain I have just cried out to be with my Father...we are human! However, Gods plan is greater and He sees something great ahead that we do not yet know of. HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER...He uses moments like these to draw us back to the basics of our faith. We all can lose perspective at times when our present situation or circumstance feels so great. REMEMBER: trials and times of grief, whether temporary or enduring, DO NOT destroy our real purpose in life! To serve and honor God. It is not based on what we feel, but on the one reality NO ONE CAN TAKE AWAY GODS LOVE FOR YOU! For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 God's will always ends in blessings