Wednesday, May 27, 2015

False Accusers

Date: Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Chapters: Job 4-6
Message Title: False Accusers

Hello My Friend,

As Christians, there are times in our lives when we know we have sinned and the punishment we get while not joyous, comes with a good lesson. So, what happens when we feel as though we are being punished when we haven't sinned? Everyone decides to butt in and find out what the meaning of all of it is, surely, there is some kind of hidden sin in your life. That is when we need to step away, block all those negative people and look to God. Regardless of whether or not we are being afflicted through sin or nothing at all, all affliction comes with a good lesson and it too will come to pass. “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby. Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed.” - Hebrews 12:11-13.

Job is still grieving over the loss of his children, and now in severe pain, covered in boils and wrapped in cloth. He's got some friends there and for a week they just sat there with him in silence, Job speaks of the sorrow he feels, and it did not take long for his friends to start questioning his integrity. Eliphaz the Temanite, a descendant of Esau, Jacob's brother, his reasoning as to why Job was suffering was God's judgment upo him for some hidden sin. He “Remember, I pray thee, who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same. By the blast of God they perish, and by the breath of his nostrils are they consumed. Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice, saying, Shall mortal man be more just than God? shall a man be more pure than his maker? Behold, he put no trust in his servants; and his angels he charged with folly:” - Job 4:7-9,14-18.

While it is true that hidden sin causes judgment from God, he is doing what many Christians do, proving him guilty without sorting out the facts. We sometimes find ourselves making rash statements in the midst of unexpected trials, however, we have no right to judge a person that is struggling or we will be facing judgment ourselves. We must not make the mistake of assuming a person has been living in sin based on what we see on the outside. The only one who truly knows what is going on is God. “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” - Matthew 7:1,2.

We know that in God's eyes, Job was a perfect and upright man, that did not mean that he never sinned, it meant that God was Lord of His life and he did everything he could to avoid sin. So, I imagine when his life was turned upside down in a matter of days that created quite a discussion when people found out. Job had a rich, prosperous life, and in a matter of days he literally lost everything he had, and now, he is covered in boils. What grief he must have felt? I am sure he longed for some comfort from family and friends, but he got the opposite, Eliphaz continues, telling him not to hate being judged by God. “I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: Which doeth great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: Who giveth rain upon the earth, and sendeth waters upon the fields: To set up on high those that be low; that those which mourn may be exalted to safety. Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth: therefore despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty: For he maketh sore, and bindeth up: he woundeth, and his hands make whole. He shall deliver thee in six troubles: yea, in seven there shall no evil touch thee.” - Job 5:8-11,17-19.

Eliphaz went as far as saying just come clean and God will forgive you for it. He was right in that God redeems all who repent, but he was wrong in assuming that Job was suffering because he had hidden sin in his life. That's why Jesus tells us, “Judge not according to the appearance, but judge righteous judgment.” - John 7:24.

Job did not know what to say, he was spiritually drained and thought God had left him to deal with all this on his own, but he never once cursed God. He was literally ready for God to just take him out of his misery. “Oh that my grief were throughly weighed, and my calamity laid in the balances together! For now it would be heavier than the sand of the sea: therefore my words are swallowed up. For the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit: the terrors of God do set themselves in array against me. For now ye are nothing; ye see my casting down, and are afraid. Did I say, Bring unto me? or, Give a reward for me of your substance? Or, Deliver me from the enemy's hand? or, Redeem me from the hand of the mighty? Teach me, and I will hold my tongue: and cause me to understand wherein I have erred. How forcible are right words! but what doth your arguing reprove? Do ye imagine to reprove words, and the speeches of one that is desperate, which are as wind?” - Job 6:2-4,21-26.

When a saved person understands the reason for suffering, they learn to accept it, but when tragedy occurs with no sign of God, we are all prone to become discouraged and even want to give up on life. Can I tell you that God never allows Satan to give us more than we can handle? If Job really couldn't handle all that he was stricken with God would have ended his life on earth when he asked Him to. God does not always reveal the reasons why we become afflicted for no reason at all, but He does reveal that through His Son, we have the strength to endure all of it and even live to tell others about it, even if that means we are in heaven and someone else tells our story. “Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” - Philippians 4:4-7,13.

Today's Prayer: God, When I am being afflicted, give me the strength to endure it, trusting in Your promises. When I see others afflicted, let me not accuse or judge them, let me be a comfort to them through their distress. Lord, lead me and guide me, give me Your power to be the light that so many need when they are afflicted and do not know what is going on, let me be a guide and comfort to them, and let Your Son shine through me as I live in a way that is pleasing to You. In Jesus' name. Amen.

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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