Few books of the Bible cause us to pause, reflect on our level of faith and understanding of God’s word quite like the book of Job (pronounced Jōb). Throughout Old and New Testament, we meet individuals that exemplify the miraculous work of Christ. Why, then, many ask, would we look to Job for hope and encouragement? Often when I am feeling bold in Christ and become confident in my own faith, I remember Job. It is then that I examine my heart for God and whether it is worthy of my boasting. Sadly, I am humbled by Job’s tenacity, unwavering faithfulness, and commitment to God; trusting him in hopeless situation after hopeless situation.
My prayer for you (and me) over the next few weeks as we study Job and his commitment to God and his trust in God’s plan, is that we recommit to a deeper trust than we have been willing to enter before. My prayer is that we experience a Job-like faith and strength regardless of the past, current, or future trial. Join us for Job! Please click for moreinformation.
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“If you faint in the day of adversity, your strength is small.” Proverbs 24:10
The January Bible reading was from the Old Testament book of Proverbs. I have learned so much this month and have had so many opportunities to share (mainly via text) some of these precious words with family and friends. I would encourage you to do the same as we begin our Job Bible Study in February and March. As I look back over the past four years since Hally went to heaven, I can see how true this proverb is. So many days I fainted from the pain of grief and had no strength to even take my daughters to school. Then, other days I chose to live in hope and joy and could see God using me in spite of my weaknesses: to love people at the Medical Lodge, to laugh and tickle Zoey, to celebrate birthdays and weddings, to give Bibles, to teach my Spanish class, to go on walks with my friends, to enjoy a snowball fight, to truly sing praises to my God and Savior.
Adversity is part of this life. Jesus tells us in John 16:33, “I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world, you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” The truth of this life is that we live in a broken world. Because of the sin each of us has, all of us will face adversity of some kind during our lives. The question is: will your strength be small or will you trust in Jesus to give you peace to face the adversity? Resting in the peace Jesus gives us doesn’t necessarily mean that your circumstances will change or that it will be “all good” as everyone seems to say these days. However, it does mean that you can choose the eternal hope that God promises through His Son, Jesus, “who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession who are zealous for good works.” Titus 2:14
As you join us in February and March to read Job’s story, I pray that you will see God’s loving hand through the adversity that Job faced. Please send us your favorite takeaways from your Bible Study!