With the exception of Jesus probably no man has ever suffered more than Job did. Within the space of a single day Job lost all of his wealth, he lost all of his possessions, all ten of his children were killed, and he lost his own health when his entire body became covered with boils from head to toe. All of this happened in just one day (Job 1: 13-22 & Job 2: 1-8). Why did Job suffer so tremendously? Was he wicked and disobedient to God? No, God Himself said “there is none like Job in all the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil” (Job 1:1). Here was a man who was just, and faithful, and yet he suffered. As Christians we need to understand that nowhere in the Bible does God promise to keep us from or to remove all of the problems in our life. In fact, the Bible says “we must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). Many people ask “what then HAS God promised?” Does He offer or promise anything at all to help us endure the trials and struggles and difficulties in our life? The answer is an emphatic “Yes”, He does. He offers Himself. He alone is our strength for enduring the trials and difficulties and problems of life. As Paul said “I can do all things, I can conquer all things, all trials, all hardships, through Christ, Who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13). As Christians we serve and live for God not because He will remove the problems in our life but because He will provide us the strength to endure them, and in the end give us eternal life in a land where there are no problems.
The Bible puts the question to each and every one of us - “what do YOU think of Jesus?” No one can escape answering that question. Do you think enough of Him to accept Him as your personal Lord and Saviour? Do you think enough of Him to give Him first place in your life? Do you think enough of Him to tell others about Him? Do you trust Him implicitly? Jesus did not say that living for Him would be easy. Quite the contrary, He pretty much guarantees that there will be some rough patches and difficult times in life but that’s where our trust comes in. That’s when our faith is put into operation because He also promises that He will always be with us during the hard times as well as the good times, and in every moment of our life. He will never turn away from you and he will never forsake you. He said “I am with you ALWAYS!” (Matthew 28:20). Life does not give us a piece of paper with the written guarantee
that we will never come face to face with painful situations and circumstances. But God does give us a promise and a guarantee, written in the blood of His only Son Jesus Christ upon the Cross, that with literally every breath we take He will be right there beside us, leading us through the storms of life and safely to the shores of Heaven. This doesn’t mean that it may not sometimes seem like everyone else gets the roses and we’re always the one stuck with the thorns. But from time to time you and I need a little stormy weather in our life to remind us that were not really in charge of anything and to keep us ever mindful that only by relying completely upon Christ will we find and experience complete, unfailing peace, hope and security. We may not always understand God’s ways, but we must ALWAYS trust Him (Proverbs 3:5).
God bless you.
Mark Shutts
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