Where Are They Now? a Sequel: Have You Considered…?
the heart of Biblical Greats
October 16th, 2021
Have You Considered?
Job 1:1-12, ‘Job was a man who lived in Uz. He was honest inside and out, a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. He had seven sons and three daughters. He was also very wealthy—seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants—the most influential man in all the East! His sons used to take turns hosting parties in their homes, always inviting their three sisters to join them in their merrymaking. When the parties were over, Job would get up early in the morning and sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, thinking, “Maybe one of them sinned by defying God inwardly.” Job made a habit of this sacrificial atonement; just in case they’d sinned. One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. God singled out Satan and said, “What have you been up to?” Satan answered God, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.” God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.” Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose! “But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.” God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of God.’ (MSG)
Can you imagine what it would be like to be the one whom the God of the Universe felt confident enough in, or trusted enough in, to be challenged by the enemy over? What an incredible amount of worth I wonder that I might feel!
Yet we have Job who humbly accepted an assignment he wasn’t even aware fully what it entailed. Did Job come through with flying colors while showing up for the biggest test of his life? No, actually, he did not; but he pass through it honestly, and he came through teachable. In my opinion, I think the Lord could accomplish so much more if he had willing, available and teachable hearts. And hearts fully yielded to seeking forgiveness and listening for His instruction that ensues, Imagine a world that replies, “I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset Your plans.”
We go on to learn that not only does God restore to Job everything that had been lost and taken, but He doubles it! Wherever you are at and whatever you are going through, stay strong, show up, and yield to His testing, as the return for a faithful servant will likely be out of this world.
John 3:16-17, ‘”For here is the way God loved the world—He gave His only, unique Son as a gift. So now everyone who believes in Him will never perish but experience everlasting life. God did not send His Son into the world to judge and condemn the world, but to be its Savior and rescue it!”’ (TPT)
