Job 1 -- Four Basic Truths

As my commentary pointed out, any time we study Job, we may go through a furnace ourselves as God enables us to really grasp His message to us.  It says our response should not be fear, but “By faith, just say with Job, ‘But He knows the way I take; when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’  Gold fears no fire.  Whatever we have that is burned up and left behind in the furnace wasn’t worth having anyway.’”

“Job was not sinless, for nobody can claim that distinction, but he was complete and mature in character and straight in conduct.  He had integrity … The foundation for Job’s character was that he feared God and shunned evil.”

In one day Job lost his wealth and his 10 children.  “Job knew what had happened, but he did not know why it had happened.”  We do, because we get to hear the words from heaven.

My commentary gave four truths that emerge:

“First, God is sovereign in all things … even Satan can do nothing to God’s people without God’s permission … No matter what happens in this world and in our lives, God is on the throne and has everything under control.”

“Second, Satan has access to God’s throne in heaven.”

“Third, God found no fault with Job, but Satan did… There was nothing in Job’s life that compelled God to cause him to suffer … Satan’s accusation against Job was really an attack on God …. To decide the question, ‘Is Jehovah God worthy of man’s worship?’”

“Fourth, Satan can touch God’s people only with God’s permission, and God uses it for their good and His glory… remind yourself that nothing can come to your life that is outside of His will.”

“It takes real faith to say in the midst of sorrow and suffering, ‘Blessed be the name of the Lord.’”

Father, God, You know my heart right now.  You know the things I’m facing and how I’ve been praying about them.  I know You are sovereign, and I trust You, God.  Work out Your perfect will, and help me to praise You in whatever comes.

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford