Tag Archives: Ignorance

Christian Soapbox

Session 3 – An Interviewing by God

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

9 Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die!” 10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. (Job 2)

I understand Job to be an illustration of our present day global suffering to the individual adversities each of us share.  Just as Job had experienced the loss of nearly everything, it wasn’t finished.  Evil has a strategic agenda to confuse the truth with lies, and thereby, challenges our devotion to what is good and righteous.  As long as our hearts receives the approval of those we care so deeply for rather than receiving from the only One Who matters, we’re lost and without understanding; in danger of fearing the wrath of God at the coming of His Son.

Although the wife of Job insists to “Curse God and die!“.  Job is not manipulated by the love he has for his wife; because God supplied and took away what was necessary for this process of understanding the truth of God.  Someone tell me.

  • How did Job come to life?  – Was it not through suffering?

11 Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this adversity that had come upon him, they came each one from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite; and they made an appointment together to come to sympathize with him and comfort him. 12 When they lifted up their eyes at a distance and did not recognize him, they raised their voices and wept. And each of them tore his robe and they threw dust over their heads toward the sky. 13 Then they sat down on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights with no one speaking a word to him, for they saw that his pain was very great. (Job 2)

We will not find truth in succumbing to the flattery of friends, nor by believing the accusations against us by self-righteous friends.  However, as Job goes through the turmoil of Satan discovers the character of God and His immense power.  Don’t give up where you are and don’t make the mistake of being someone else’s “god” for the sake of easing their pain.  Live by the understanding that the grace given by God abounds the sins of your life.  Confess and contend with God, but understand this truth, Job repented in dust and ashes when God showed up!  Do you, or we, think, that our place is not the same as Job’s.  Or are you so arrogant as a son or daughter of Satan, to challenge the character of another based on what God has provided for them, and not you?  I pray this is not confused with partiality or being favored by what is given materially, for we all equally have the opportunity at receiving the gift of God.  What have you chosen over that gift?  

Christian Soapbox

Interviewed by God – Session 2

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Featured photo: Ben Jacobi www.bdjphoto.com 

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 8 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, fearing God and turning away from evil.” (Job 1)

Reader (listener), indulge me, you are the character of Job.  I, the writer, will entertain the character of Satan [….scary thought].

9 Then Satan answered the Lord, “Does Job fear God for nothing? 10 Have You not made a hedge about him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But put forth Your hand now and touch all that he has; he will surely curse You to Your face.” 12 Then the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your power, only do not put forth your hand on him.” So Satan departed from the presence of the Lord. (Job 1)

Take notice how “Satan” and “Jesus” refer to “God”.  What does it mean to fear God?

Satan:

•”Job, I see your potential and how the fruit of your integrity will produce a bountiful return.  Once dead; people will learn of this character you seem to possess, they will discover how God is good; the seed of your fruit will effect the world, but soon will become confused.”

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped. 21 He said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God. (Job 1)

Satan:

•”Interesting, surely you must be experiencing the weight of a heavy depression.  At this point I’ve distorted the view of right and wrong; knowledge of good and evil is my heaven; yet you think, or seem to have thought to own the right of understanding what is impossible for man to understand.  After all, you were sacrificing for your kids, why, thinking what?  That they would have favor with God and not die in their sins?  What of you, Job?  Do you think you’ll find favor with God by maintaining your integrity?  Now to get you vulnerable; vulnerable enough, to set you up, for my success.  I’ll need access to your soul.  It’s time to present myself again, before Jesus.”

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them to present himself before the Lord. 2 The Lord said to Satan, “Where have you come from?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “From roaming about on the earth and walking around on it.” 3 The Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job? For there is no one like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man fearing God and turning away from evil. And he still holds fast his integrity, although you incited Me against him to ruin him without cause.” 4 Satan answered the Lord and said, “Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. 5 However, put forth Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh; he will curse You to Your face.” 6 So the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, he is in your power, only spare his life.” (Job 2)

Satan:

•”Ah Job, you may believe your skin God has rapped you in, preserves your life for salvation, but the sting of death is sin, and the sin of your beginning is mine.  I so look forward to devouring you; to manipulate your emotions, confuse your psyche, and inflict what you fear.  The salvation of preservation is my advantage to use as a means to set the world up at my right hand in the place called, Hell.  Don’t worry, Job. ‘You’re so important to me’.”

 

[stay tuned…]