The book of Job has many lessons on God’s nature and man’s nature. Among lessons are how to face unexpected adversity. In this blog, though, I will focus on the initial reaction to adversity. One of the benefits of the Bible is to provide instructions that can be applied to advance us. (2 Timothy 3:16 and 1 Corinthians 10:11).
One of the lessons highlighted while studying the book Job recently was to beware of the bait the enemy often uses to blame God for the adversity. Whereas God permitted Job’s adversity, the instigator was satan, who afflicted Job with the destruction of property, death, and sickness (Job Chapters 1 and 2). chapter one ends with, “in all Job did not sin by blaming God.”
Lesson 1- Do not blame God. When something wrong happens, people are quick to point fingers to blame someone; sadly, this someone is often God. Some attribute the adversity to God’s punishment, cleaning up a nation or people, or God causing the adversity to teach someone a lesson. Job, however, did not sin by blaming God, he agonized his adversity, but he did not blame God.
Lesson 2- Recognize your real enemy– Military intelligence applies to a Christian’s life as well. Without knowing who the enemy is and strategies of overcoming him, we can either fight a miss or be in constant defeat. Wherever there is death and destruction, it is of the enemy- Jesus Christ came to give life abundantly, but satan steals, kills, and destroys (John 10:10). Quit side-stepping, your enemy. Ask the Holy Spirit for the revelation of the thief in your life and for the strategies of dealing with him.
Lesson 3- Be highly cautious of the advice you receive from well-meaning people-Advice can be good, but good may not be God’s. This is why every believer needs to know the word of God for themselves because God’s word reveals His nature. This makes it easy to wean off or disregard ungodly counsel and stand firm on God’s promises. For example, Job’s wife who was the closest person to him advised him to curse God and die, but Job knew better. Verse ten ends with, “in all this; Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:7-10)
The book of Job highlights the power of the tongue in adversity. The use of tongue was vital in receiving God’s blessings for the Israelites in the Old Testament. Scripture says they missed their rest because of unbelief, typically accompanied by murmuring, complaining, and blaming God. Instead of blaming God in adversity, confront adversity with the truth of God’s nature. The tongue releases life or death (Proverbs 18:21). Let the word of God be your armor in adversity. God’s nature and word are not only authentic but powerful to deliver you (Hebrews 4:12, Psalms 107: 20. God is also faithful; He will watch over His word and help you through adversity (Isaiah 55:11; 1 Corinthians 10:13)