JOB: ETERNAL VALUE OF FAITH

 

TRIALS OF JOB PART 5 ETERNAL VALUE OF FAITH Brothers, as an example of patience in affliction, look at the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. See how blessed we consider those who have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen the outcome from the Lord. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. James 5:10-11 JOB's CHILDREN There is no way to reconcile Job's story in any kind of satisfactory way, without taking heaven into consideration. Even though Job's fortunes were restored and God gave Job many more children, the fact remains that ten young people lost their lives. The death of Job's children was a tragedy that could not be fixed: not by earthly means. But Job had done everything he knew to make sure that his children were in right standing with God. We can say with confidence that they all went to heaven. And since they were in heaven, do we really think they would prefer to be back on earth? Those ten young people were safe, happy and cared-for. And Job was eventually reunited with them in heaven. If we look at spiritual trials from only an earthly perspective, we will NEVER see the big picture. We cannot understand God's perspective without looking beyond this earthly life. The point of the story was never about Job's wealth or Job's family. This trial by fire was entirely about Job's FAITH and how his faith was of utmost importance to beings in the spiritual realms: angels and demons alike. Since the book of Job is the oldest book in the Bible, Job's dramatic story became a lighthouse event for all godly believers since that time. From the early dawn of human history up to the present moment: Job teaches us some very complex lessons about the workings of Satan, the eternal significance of faith, the sovereignty of God, the blessings of forgiveness, and the necessity for perseverance.