Doth Job Fear God for Naught?
The inevitable test that the Devil seeks to cause to come against each individual who remains loyal and faithful to God is to subject that person to privation. That's why he, the Devil, will accuse that servant of being in it only for the benefits.
Occasionally, such tests have to come about for each of us. So the life of the faithful Christian will never be "smooth sailing" all the time; there will be storms, but they will be endurable and they'll be good for you in that it will help make you stronger.
The Devil will always try to discredit you and your testimony. And, although he's a liar and the father of lies, he's also very legalistic and will accuse you to God, for he's also the accuser of the saints.
So, among other things, this means, like Job whom he also accused to God, falsely, it turns out, you've got to realize beforehand that, though you might abound one moment, the other moment you might be "abased" and have to endure a period of privation. This is where complete supply comes in as true riches -- the privation is usually only pecuniary and material.
Where, then, is the abundance? Well, it averages out. The gifts of God are without repentance. Romans 11:29. As Saint Paul said, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13.
When you get the faith for it -- and "... faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17. The abundance of God is far greater than the hardships the Devil is able to intermittently throw your way.
Plead the Blood of Jesus, The Lamb of God, when under attack or at any time. Remember the admonition in Revelation: "And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony...". Revelation 12:11. The Blood of Jesus, shed on the Cross, is the ultimate, absolutely glaring, rebuke against, and condemning of, the Devil, who is ultimately responsible for killing Jesus the Messiah. Well, three days later, Jesus came back from the dead and that's the last thing the Devil was able to do to Him. -- Also, the Blood shed by Jesus on the cross breaks the "spell" the Devil cast over the World.
So Christian prosperity is like breathing: For every breath of fresh air taken in, it's as if, sure enough, there has to be, as this analogy goes, an "exhale". But remember, that after Job's ordeal was done, and God delivered him, his wealth came back in greater abundance.
Of course, the stormy passage of each true Christian through this life isn't always bad things happening after good things, but bad things do happen, usually because of bad people opposing that Christian. And often to compound things, such bad people often bring in bad spirits, and so on. Also, it's possible that that Christian can cause his or her own difficulties by giving an occasion to the Devil; causing a situation that allows the Devil to pull something.
The Bible talks about such things in the Book of Job, and, whereas you might not see it at first glance, remember the wording of the scriptures had to get around kings and religious leaders who would have stopped everything from getting through to you had they understood what was said. Eventually, you'll understand what was involved with the lesson of Job.
So when you read about Job and realize that the Devil was starting to get on his case, first of all Job was doing something right for the Devil to be fighting him. Maybe Job was also having a problem with pride as well; he might have been a bit lifted up about the success of his ministry for God. But also people close to him were doing a lot of things wrong and that helped to cause evil to get a foothold.
Job's grown-up children were getting, it seems, into paganism. The hints we have about that were their feasts (often such affairs involved more than food; also certain deities might be revered, such as those associated with feasting or inebriation, as the Word mentions about the people of Israel in the wilderness at Midian, that the people ate and drank and then rose up to play -- Exodus 32:6). Why would Job's kids do that to Dad? Even those of one's own household can be a person's foes. Matthew 10:36. The Devil was setting things up for an attack on Job, finally accusing him to God.
Take a look at this passage from the Book of Job, Job 1:6-11:
| "Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face." |
The enemy will try to set you up and to challenge your prosperity. The difference now is that you have someone to defend you in Heaven, and that's Jesus. That's why it's so important, as the vernacular goes, to "stay under the Blood of the Lamb" -- the Blood of Jesus. Keep praying that simple prayer, "I plead the Blood of Jesus". When you get accused, God looks at the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus, and that Jesus died for you, and you're pardoned.
But sometimes difficulties come your way. You may have to endure a period of privation occasionally or things in your situation can arise to cause problems. It's happened for various reasons to brothers and sisters in the Bible days and throughout the ages. The problems most often stemmed from people in the fellowship or people they had to deal with bringing in spiritual trouble because they go astray or because of not putting God first. Most certainly the worldly people around the brothers and sisters invariably caused trouble for them.
So it happens to this day, especially if you are an employer. If some of the employees are into other things, this can cause trouble. Like Job, you might find the trouble makers often get rid of themselves -- in today's workplace, you can catch them lying or harassing fellow workers. If they are of their father the Devil, they will lie, or they will accuse the innocent.
But back to the topic at hand and the trials and tribulations that do occasionally occur in the Christian's pilgrimage through this life. Many times these things the Devil throws at you can take a toll. You should be prepared to deal with loss, sometimes that could be absolutely everything. Your faith and the Lord will soon get you back "on your feet" again, as did Job, stronger than ever.
You might ask what is your reward for being faithful, trouble? No. Brother and sister, this World is almost nothing but recurring troubles all the time. Your reward is deliverance. -- And that's just for openers. If you remain faithful -- if you just hang in there and remain steadfast -- you'll receive an hundred fold. You'll prosper, and also with that, as Jesus said, will come persecutions.
What can I tell you? The worldly people will give you problems. They hate God, they hate each other, they love to hate, they hate Jesus and they'll hate you. Whatever. Great is your reward in Heaven!
Your only need for sufficient prosperity here is so you can do the job. It's not your prosperity, it's only in your stewardship for a while for you to use in the service of Jesus. As for all the rest, when it comes time, just let that stuff go. It's worthless anyway. The only things that will stand the test of fire are the living souls you helped to find Jesus and get saved.
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