JOB PART 3, SOVEREIGNTY

 

THE TRIALS OF JOB PART 3, SOVEREIGNTY Satan told God that Job would curse the LORD if all his blessings were taken away. So God allowed Satan to harm Job, but God set limits on what Satan could do. Job's wife survived, but she was no help. She told Job to do exactly what Satan wanted him to do! She told Job, “Do you still retain your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 2:9 But Job didn't curse God. He muttered, cried and complained, but Job didn't turn against God. Job's extreme trial of faith has become a lesson in faith and spiritual integrity ever since. It has also been a lesson on the sovereignty of God. Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Who fixed its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its foundations set, or who laid its cornerstone, while the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:1-7 But God said to Job: “Will the faultfinder contend with the Almighty? Let him who argues with God give an answer.”  Job 40:1-2 Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said: “Now brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall inform Me. Would you really annul My justice? Would you condemn Me to justify yourself?”   Job 40:6-8 WHAT DO WE LEARN ABOUT GOD, BECAUSE OF JOB? The Sovereignty of God in Christianity is defined as the right of God to exercise his ruling power over his creation. Have modern Christians forgotten that God is GOD? Americans, especially, are big-time rebels: we resist the idea that anyone has authority or power over us. Awed Reverence for God has become a rare thing. People prefer to view God as a generous and loving friend, rather than the Almighty. We should understand that our earthly life is only "boot camp" and God is interested in preparing us for eternity. So there will be many things that happen in our lives that don't make sense to us at the time. But God doesn't make mistakes. God is just. God is love. God wants the best for us. God wants us to be part of His Heavenly Kingdom. Recognizing that God is the awesome Creator, with all the rights and power which that implies, are part of spiritual maturing. JOB PART 4 continued TOMORROW.