In times of hardship and difficulties, we do not have to bound by our circumstances.
In times of pain and suffering, we do not have to live an oppressed and downtrodden life.
We can live a life given by God, focused on Christ, and empowered by the Holy Spirit.
We can live the reality of the Truth of God, as revealed in the Bible.
7 Lessons From Job: How Can Christians Live Out the Truth of the Bible? – Part 7
To me, the Bible is the story of YHVH seeking relationship with humans, His creatures, His image-bearers.
Therefore, it is to the Bible we must look to learn how to live in relationship with Him, through His Son, and in the Spirit.
A Quick Look:
Lesson 1)
God does not cause bad things to happen; however, He allows bad things to happen.
Lesson 2)
We can question and complain to God. We can ask “Why God?”
Lesson 3)
We can express our negative feelings toward God.
Our feelings are real, even though our perceptions may be incorrect.
Lesson 4)
The Biblical interpretations of others may be unhelpful, even incorrect.
Lesson 5)
Lesson 6)
God can make good things come from something bad
Lesson 7)
We can hold to our faith in the Truth. We can endure, with thanksgiving and praise.
We can live by faith, in accordance with the Truth of Scripture, the Word of God, the Holy Bible.
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. Romans 15:4 NASB
A Review of the Life of Job
Job is a wealthy man, most likely living in the patriarchal times of the Bible.
For no apparent reason, in short order, he loses his children, his servants, his livestock, and his health.
Job wants God to explain: Why has all this misery happened to me?
Job believes that the suffering comes from God.
He also believes he is, and has been, a righteous man, faithful to YHVH.
Job becomes furious with God for causing him anguish.
Consequently, he rails in anger at YeHoVaH for this undeserved suffering.
Job demands that his God meet him face-to-face and explain why He is causing Job’s distress.
God does speak to Job. However, He does not tell Job the reason nor the source of Job’s misfortune and pain.
In the end, God gives Job more children and restores his losses with a double portion.
7 Lessons We Can Learn From Job’s Experience For Living Through Bad Times (Including a Pandemic) – Part 7
Job persevered in his faith. Even though he questioned God and complained to God, neverthless he did not sin by cursing God or denying God.
Today, we have the revealed Word of God, the Bible, as well as the in-dwelling Holy Spirit to encourage us, strengthen us, and empower us to live in the Kingdom of Heaven while on earth.
How Can We Live By Faith and Truth During the Hard Times of Life in This Broken, Sin-filled World?
We can
9 … be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,
10 so that [we] will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;
11 strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously
12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Colossians 1:10-12 NASB
Lesson 7)
We can hold to our faith in the Truth.
We can endure, with thanksgiving and praise.
We can be like Job:
Living steadfast in our faith, even through suffering and pain.
Living in both trust and obedience, with thanksgiving and praise.
Living by the Truth, the Word of God.
10 “But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6:10 NASB
The Path to Peace In All Circumstances
1. Endure, by Supernatural Strength
We can endure, as our Messiah endured.
2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:2 NASB
We can endure by God’s strength, and not by our own.
13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13 NASB
2. Faith and Prayer
We can live a Faith-filled and a Prayer-filled life.
15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. James 5:15-16 NASB
3. Praise in All Circumstances
We can live a life of Praise, despite our sorrows, despite our pain.
29 But I am afflicted and in pain; May Your salvation, O God, set me securely on high.
30 I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving. Psalm 69:29-30 NASB
4. Thanksgiving and Gratitude
We can live in an “attitude of Gratitude,” giving thanks in all our circumstances, even in the storms of life.
4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving
And His courts with praise.
Give thanks to Him, bless His name.
16 Rejoice always; 17 pray without ceasing; 18 in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NASB
5. Service to God and Others
We can live a Service-filled life, sharing the grace and strength and comfort we have received in times of trial.
10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them. Ephesians 2:10 NASB
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able to comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NASB
6. Imitate the Father and the Son, by the Spirit
We can imitate the Father by doing good, because He is good.
1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; 2 and walk in love … Ephesians 5:1-2a NASB
16 And do not neglect doing good and sharing … Hebrews 13:16a NASB
We can imitate the Son, Who is the image of the Father.
9 Jesus said to him, “Have I been so long with you, and yet you have not come to know Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father ‘? John 14:9 NASB
We can live in the power and strength and truth of the Holy Spirit.
13 Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13 NASB
7. God’s Truth in God’s Word – the Bible
We can, under all circumstances, hold to, and live by, God’s Truth, as revealed in the Bible.
28 My soul weeps because of grief; Strengthen me according to Your word. Psalm 119:28 NASB
17 “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth. John 17:17 NASB
As we live according to The Word of God, the Holy Scripture …
As we abide in The Word, The Son of God …
As we are baptized and receive The Holy Spirit …
We can remain …
In Christ
We can have …
A Life In the Christ.
A Life In Our Messiah.
We can live in His divine Peace.
27 “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. John 14:27 NASB
We can rest in the Anointed One.
28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NASB
We can, like Paul, learn to be content in all circumstances of life.
11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Philippians 4:11-13 NASB
Consider This
What if …
… we decide to hold to our faith in the Truth of the Word of Scripture?
… we determine to endure, living in God’s strength, and not in our own?
… we choose to give praise and thanksgiving, even in the midst of the storm?
Each one must decide.
Each one has to determine.
Each one needs to choose.
Let us not be like the character in The Raiders of the Lost Ark, who, when selecting the chalice of Life, “chose poorly.”
Indiana Jones and the Lost Ark movie clip
Our life depends on it.
Our eternal life depends on it.
In life, there is much undeserved suffering, due to our broken, sin-filled world.
Everyday trials and tribulations come upon all of humanity. No one can escape.
This time of the COVID pandemic, especially, has been difficult for many people.
Nevertheless, we can, like Paul,
4 … in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses,
5 in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger,
6 in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love,
7 in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left,
8 by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true;
9 as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death,
10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 2 Corinthians 6:4-10 NASB
One of my favorite quotes from Job is
10 “But it is still my consolation, And I rejoice in unsparing pain, That I have not denied the words of the Holy One. Job 6:10 NASB
I pray to my Father for Him be my consolation.
- And for Him to be yours.
I pray to rejoice, even in my pain.
- And for you to be able to do the same.
I pray to never deny the Truth of the Word of God – the Bible.
- And for you to be steadfast in God’s Truth as well.
Amen.
Let us …
31 … continue in [Jesus] My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; 32 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.” John 8:31-32 NASB
Blessings,
TLThomas
It’s ok to doubt, if you check it out!
Be a Berean!
10The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. 11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:10, 11 ESV
Please join me in this journey of discovery.
- Leave a comment, or ask me a question.
- Share this blog with others, whether they are doubting, or not.
- Take what I say and CHECK IT OUT FOR YOURSELF!
Next time, the 7 Lessons From Job will conclude with the bonus question:
Bonus Lesson 8:
What Do We Have that Job Didn’t?”
See also:
Is God to Blame For the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Suffering? – Part 1
Can We Question and Complain to God About the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Suffering? – Part 2
Is It Wrong to Be Angry at God About the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Suffering? – Part 3
Biblical Truth During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Part 4
In Times of Trials and Suffering Like the COVID-19 Pandemic, Who Are We Compared to God? – Part 5
In Times of Suffering and Hardship, Such as the Pandemic, Can Good Come From Bad? – Part 6
TLThomas ©2021