Job 1:14-21- And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them:
15 And the Sabeans fell upon them, and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
16 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
17 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
18 While he was yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house:
19 And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.
20 ¶ Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped,
21 And said, Naked came I out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.
*notice the…
A. Conviction of Job
-v. 1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.
B. Character of Job
-v. 5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were gone about, that Job sent and sanctified them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered 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 did Job continually.
C. Crowning of Job
-v. 6-8 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them.
7 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.
8 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?
D. Catastrophe of Job -v. 14-19
Unexpected Losses!
*they can…
1. Overwhelm you!
*with…
a. Grief
b. Guilt
c. Guile
2. Overshadow you!
*by clouding your…
a. Joy
b. Judgment
c. Journey (footsteps)
3. Optimize you!
*by energizing your…
a. Feet (to be busy)
b. Focus (mindset)
c. Faith!
4. Offer you!
a. Perspective -v. 21
b. Peace
*Ps. 116:15– Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.
c. Perseverance (a strength not yet known)
5. Give Opportunities!
*to…
a. Reflect
b. React
c. Right some wrongs
d. Repent!
Only when we walk with Christ can we ride the waves of adversity and trauma when “unexpected loses” come into our lives. May you walk with Him today for we know not what a day brings forth!
-Pastor Doug Foster