Encouragement

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HAVE YOU CONSIDERED
Job 1


I write often of the amazing relevance of the Word of God; yet, once more, I’m left to shake my head in amazement at a passage I’ve read numerous times, a story that is more than familiar to me.

Why do I shake my head? Because, as I read this today, I’m struck by the pricelessness of this passage now laying in my hands. God has given me here, within these few words, a blueprint containing His story of my life.

True, like any builder, I don’t need to follow the blueprint. I can attempt shortcuts, choose my own materials, utterly disregard the architect’s design … and know, disaster. That choosing remains mine, always.

However, regardless of my choice, it doesn’t negate the filter God prepared in Job 1 for my use. A filter with which to read and understand the story of my life … a story He faithfully and lovingly continues to write. A story never intended to conclude with the end … but always with a resounding Blessed be the Name of the LORD!

How do I know it’s my story? My first clue lies hidden in the name Job … hated … persecuted. And it doesn’t take long to discover “the hater.” It’s the same adversary desiring the Almighty’s throne, the same enemy who withdrew a third of the angelic hosts to fill his demonic ranks to war against righteousness, the same archrival of my soul that Peter so graphically portrays as walking about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

And, yes, I am his hated-one … one against whom his persecution never waivers. Why? Because I fear God … because I choose Righteousness … for the simple reason that I desire to pursue the Upright and Blameless One who gave His all for me.

Using Job 1 as my filter, I recognize something else. My adversary’s strategy doesn’t change. Faith remains his target; though he can’t come near without my Loving Father first granting permission. In fact, is it not my Father, whose sovereignty points the adversary’s attention in my direction, with the simple words, Have you considered my servant?

Ouch! But at the same time, YES!! That’s what Paul poured out upon the Ephesians with the emotion-packed truths … be strong in the LORD and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly place. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Though I am hated, persecuted by the soul-thief, he still doesn’t get it. He looses! I am more than a conqueror in Christ Jesus. From head to toe I’m covered with all I need, and with the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit, every fiery dart the wicked minions fling finds no resting place. When my adversary has had his way with me, ever within the Loving Sovereign’s writing of my story, he will discover the LORD is my strength and my shield, an ever-present help in trouble. Though he may attempt to blind me with sight, though he thinks he can strip away my faith through temporal losses, my faith finds its anchor in the unchanging Rock, fed by Living Water … where His Spirit within me will give voice to God’s unwavering faithfulness – The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.

May this filter never leave my hands, never leave my heart, may its truth remain the faithful utterance of my lips through all my days … for surely, it is my story. And it is yours, sweet child of God. May His Name truly be praised forevermore.




(Reflections on Job 1)



© 8 March 2006
DeAnna L. Brooks

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