Stand Firm

 

    When it feels like the whole world is against you, it can be hard to stand firm to what you know is right.  Doubt may creep in your mind.  Maybe fear becomes all consuming.  Some people are people pleasers, so for them it is hard to go against what society says is right.  No matter what type of person you are, you face times in life where it is hard to stand firm to what God says is right.

    Job had his three friends basically accuse him of being this secretly horrible person.  He had to listen to them insult his character.  Yet, he stood firm in who he was and his relationship or understanding of God.  He was literally sick and tired, but he did not back down.  No matter how badly his friends insulted him, he kept his head.  He did not lower himself to become rude or offensive in return.  

    God created our world and every living things including the air we breath.  Job knew this and understood that it is God's right to do what He wants with his creation.  Job was not insulting God, he just wanted answers.  His friends reaction to him having the nerve to ask the questions was more than a little irritating.  

    Job's friend's represent the world around Christians.  They are the people that sit around and judge everything that we do and say.   We can get angry.  We can let loose our temper, but we can't lose our mind or control over how we react.  Job is a great example on how to deal with a no win situation.  

    Just because a person is a Christian (righteous), it does not mean that the person will not suffer in life.  There is evil in this world and that evil taints God's perfection.  It is what causes suffering, not God.  God is in control, but until Jesus returns this is reality.  He could wipe us all out now, but because He loves us He is giving us time to find Him.  Whatever is torn down by this world, He can rebuild stronger and better.

    Job was transparent about how he felt.  He was open about what he wanted.  There is nothing wrong with that.  This was wisdom that he was not aware that he possessed.  God understands everything and will bring it to light when it is time.  Just because we may not understand, does not give us the right to judge God.  

    Job had to point this wisdom out to his friends in hope that they would understand that he was not judging God.  He just wanted some answers.  Basically, he wanted the same answers as they did.  They just would never ask out loud.

Job 12