Job

Dear Friend,
How are you?  I’m well.

In the Old Testament Survey by Pastor John Fenn, I found his insight on the book of Job fresh and fascinating.  And it did speak to me in a timely manner and I would like to share some from his views.

Job is a great man. We know he reared the fatherless and widows, and he didn’t lust after young women.  He was a wealthy and respected old man.  Yet, Pastor John said to the audience (I paraphrase), “Imagine that you are a doctor and Job came to you as a patient. After listening to him, you might prescribe tranquilizers.”  Job was very concerned about his adult children and he offered burnt offerings, worrying they had sinned:
“And his sons would go and feast in their houses, each on his appointed day, and would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them.  So it was, when the days of feasting had run their course, that Job would send and sanctify them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did regularly. (Job 1:4~5)”
And Job actually confessed his fear and dread, after he lost everything including his children:
“‘For the thing I greatly feared has come upon me,
And what I dreaded has happened to me.
I am not at ease, nor am I quiet;
I have no rest, for trouble comes.’ (Job 3:25~26)”

And Pastor John quoted 1 Peter 5:8a:
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”  
The devil roams around to attack us, if we give in fear, worry and so on.  Indeed, satan said:
“And the Lord said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’
So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’ (Job 1:7)”

When I listened to Pastor John’s insight, I felt it really eye-opening. On a certain matter in the future, I’ve been entertaining some negative thoughts.  I knew they were not from God, yet I kept thinking of something bad, as if it would happen.  So, his message just hit home.  Indeed, our mind is battleground and the devil roams about to see whom he may devour.  Though Job was a righteous man, he was a human being just like every one of us.  We all make a mistake and we all have something to be improved.  After the class, I repented of my keeping entertaining the negative thoughts on a certain matter in the future, despite knowing His faithfulness and goodness by experience.  From that moment on, I stopped thinking of it, but chose to trust His goodness, as my Father.

Apostle Paul encouraged us to be transformed by renewing of our mind:
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. (Romans 12:2)”  
It is we that renew our mind, not God.  It’s our responsibility.  

Friend, if you are worried about your children, business, finances, career, relationships and so forth, I pray this speaks to you and changes you.  It’s my prayer that you and I remain sober and vigilant and renew our mind, trusting His faithfulness and goodness.  May He give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and we see who we are in Christ.
​
Have a bliss!
Yunee

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6~7)