Ephesians 6:13 (NLT)13 Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.
We all know the story of Job. Although we are told that he was a righteous man he lost his children, all his material possessions, and finally his health.
Job 1:1, 13-19 (NLT)1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
Job 2:6-9 (NLT)6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the LORD said to Satan. “But spare his life.”7 So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Job doesn't understand why all of this is happening to him, because he didn’t think that he had done nothing wrong to cause any of the things that happened to him.
Job 9:21-22 (NLT)21 “I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life.22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
Throughout the book Job continues to complain that he had done nothing wrong and, he wanted to talk to God directly, to find out why all of this was happening. When God finally responded Job realized that he, a man, could never know everything that God knows.
Job 38:1-4 (NLT)1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
Job 42:1-3 (NLT) 1 Then Job replied to the LORD:2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.
We, like Job, don't always understand what is going on in our lives. Whether we face financial difficulties, the loss of family members, or the scrutiny of family and friends, we don’t always understand why.
God doesn’t promise us that the life of a Christian will be without struggles, but He promises us that no matter what we go through, we are not alone, He is with us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB) 6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
John 16:33 (NLT)33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (HCSB) 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
One day when we are in the presence of God for all eternity, we will understand all the things that we may have thought were unfair, unjust or just too difficult.
Romans 8:28-29 (HCSB) 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
Trust God and you can stand even when you don’t understand.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (GW) Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
We all know the story of Job. Although we are told that he was a righteous man he lost his children, all his material possessions, and finally his health.
Job 1:1, 13-19 (NLT)1 There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. 13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house,14 a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: “Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them,15 when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”16 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”17 While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: “Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”18 While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: “Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home.19 Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
Job 2:6-9 (NLT)6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the LORD said to Satan. “But spare his life.”7 So Satan left the LORD’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes.9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”
Job doesn't understand why all of this is happening to him, because he didn’t think that he had done nothing wrong to cause any of the things that happened to him.
Job 9:21-22 (NLT)21 “I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me— I despise my life.22 Innocent or wicked, it is all the same to God. That’s why I say, ‘He destroys both the blameless and the wicked.’
Throughout the book Job continues to complain that he had done nothing wrong and, he wanted to talk to God directly, to find out why all of this was happening. When God finally responded Job realized that he, a man, could never know everything that God knows.
Job 38:1-4 (NLT)1 Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?3 Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.4 “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much.
Job 42:1-3 (NLT) 1 Then Job replied to the LORD:2 “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.
We, like Job, don't always understand what is going on in our lives. Whether we face financial difficulties, the loss of family members, or the scrutiny of family and friends, we don’t always understand why.
God doesn’t promise us that the life of a Christian will be without struggles, but He promises us that no matter what we go through, we are not alone, He is with us.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (HCSB) 6 Be strong and courageous; don’t be terrified or afraid of them. For it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will not leave you or forsake you.”
John 16:33 (NLT)33 I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (HCSB) 9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
One day when we are in the presence of God for all eternity, we will understand all the things that we may have thought were unfair, unjust or just too difficult.
Romans 8:28-29 (HCSB) 28 We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those He foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers.
Trust God and you can stand even when you don’t understand.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (GW) Indeed, our lives are guided by faith, not by sight.
RSS Feed