Another year has come to an end. And once again, we find ourselves at the threshold of a fresh new year of opportunities.
Yet – for some of us – things don’t seem so fresh or new while having to deal with the same stinking issues in the same redundant cycle of life.
But hold on! Wait a minute! There is hope in the eternal Word of God!
Consider with me the man Job in the Bible who God literally showed off about! (See Job 1:8). The Bible declares that he was a man who shunned evil, lived blameless and upright. Yet…
- Job was put to the test.
- 500 of his oxen and donkeys were stolen.
- 7000 of his sheep was burnt alive.
- Another 3000 of his camels were lost in a raid.
- Hundreds of his servants killed. (Four of them escaped only to bring some more bad news to him).
- His house collapsed on his seven sons and three daughters.
- His wife (who remained) provoked him, adding insult to injury.
- Sores broke out on his skin; disfiguring and making him a stinking mess.
- His friends condemned him even further.
And what was his reaction to all this that happened on the same day?
- He got up to mourn
- He was mad!
- He began to intercede
- He proclaimed fasting to resist the devil!
- He ran to call for help
- He claimed & confessed the Word of God & restoration.
- He stood on His promise.
- He believed God for a double portion.
- He sang, “We shall overcome someday”,
- He blamed God
- He reminded God of His promise
Job 1: 20 “Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
22In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.”
What Can We Learn?
We all know the story. We only need simple reminders from time to time. So here are 15 reminders that will strengthen your walk with God during your uncertain times:
1. Job Worshiped. When? Now? Worship? Doesn’t that feel like the last thing that could be on his mind? But that is what Job did. Worship = the feeling or expression of reverence and adoration for a deity.
2. Job did not allow his feelings to let him get carried away. He knew God was still on the throne!
3. Brokenness and worship = perfect combination! (Psalm 51:17)
4. My prevalent circumstance does not rule my walk with God. Now is when you need to love God for who He is and not for what He can do for you.
5. God knows. (Hebrews 4:15, 16)
6. God still loves you.
7. The Lord has a plan to prosper you!
8. My worship and love for God are not conditional.
9. How you react to your problem shows how much you trust God.
10. Anybody can worship God when all is well. What about when you are going through hell?
11. Where you run to – especially when you are in trouble – is your God.
12. Your problem has nothing to do with your lack of righteousness. But simply that the testing of your faith develops endurance and thereafter spiritual maturity! (James 1: 3, 4)
13. Your submission to God in the midst of pain is marked in heaven! (Hebrews 5:7)
14. Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, that cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Psalm 125:1)
And finally remember,
15. Your problem has an expiry date! (Job 42:10, Micah 7:8). So here’s another opportunity to worship God today!
Dear friend, rejoice and again I say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4). The Lord your God is the same; yesterday, today and forever! (Hebrews 13:8). I am sure that the Lord will turn your tears of sorrow into tears of joy. Jesus never fails!
Wishing all of you – our partners & dear GTH friends – a blessed and victorious new year ahead!!!
Love,
Shyju, Tiny and the SMMinistries team.