Serving Through The Struggle

Job 42:10 “After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and doubled his previous possessions.” ~CSB

The Book of Job is impressive in its details of the fight between good and evil for the possession of our souls. The devil roams the earth looking to destroy everything God has created. In this particular story, it concerns a man named Job. Job loved the Lord and had a strong relationship with Him. Job’s loyalty to God could not be broken. The devil thought differently and told God that every man can be broken given the proper struggle. God knew and trusted His servant Job to remain faithful. God allowed the devil to not only take from Job but also to affect his body. God’s only command was that the devil did not kill Job.

The devil took away Job’s children and possessions. Then inflicted his body with painful, unattractive boils. The influence of the devil’s work caused three friends of Job to attempt to convince him that what was happening to him was from God. They tried to tell Job that he must have done something against the Lord for him to be going through so much. Although Job did not understand why these things were happening to him, he continued to have faith in God. And because of his strong faith and trust in the Lord, God rewarded him.

In our lives we go through things we may not understand. But it is our journey as Christians to wake up and walk our paths in righteousness no matter what the world throws our way. We trust in God that where we are, is the place where He will use us to perform His miracle. To show others through us that He exists. It’s not always about us. It is not always about the devil. It is, however, always about God and what His intentions are. His intent to bring good, grace and mercy to us and those around us.

While going through our challenges, Job shows us how to continue to serve by praying for others even when they try to direct us in other unnecessary paths. Look at Job’s friends. God told them that they were leading His loyal servant in the wrong direction. By telling him the wrong information about God and His intentions. God said for this they should be punished. (Job 42:7-8) But because Job prayed for them, God said he would give them a pass. Amazing how Job didn’t think about himself as he was going through his struggle. He loved God and remembered his job was to serve the Lord and others. His actions saved himself and his friends.

The Bible says that God blessed Job for his struggles by doubling his possessions. The word says God blessed the last part of Job’s life more than the first. Stay focused on God’s love for you. Don’t let the devil ‘snatch’ you through the chaos of this world. God has His arms wrapped around you. You are protected.

May God bless and keep you as you journey in Jesus’ name.

Amen

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