Whatever trials you are facing today, let me assure you: God is in Control. He has not allowed your suffering without there being a Divine Purpose for your good. He will take all your suffering and broken pieces into His mighty hands of love to bring you to a place of perfect steadfast joy in Him. Sometimes amid the suffering, that may seem hard to believe; but, nevertheless is true. God does not merely look upon our actions; but, rather He sees our heart. His eyes pierce deep within our soul, knowing every piece of chaff that must be removed so that we might see Him clearly. Furthermore, He knows every blemish that stands in the way of our finding perfect joy in Him. Job understood this in his mind; but, needed to really know this in his heart. Therefore, God allowed Job’s suffering at the hand of Satan.
What Job knew about God at the beginning of his story was insufficient to write this truth upon his heart. We are told in Proverbs 3:3 “Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart.” Yet, God knows that we cannot fully comprehend of our own volition; therefore, He has promised to write them upon our hearts Himself. (Jeremiah 31:33). This He covenanted to His people; that, after their days of suffering, He would write His truth upon their hearts. Suffering prepares our heart, cleans the slate; so He can write clearly. All we must do is trust Him; even in the storms of life. Ah, but even then; it is He who provides us faith to do just that when our faith fails us. He only asks that we keep our eyes on Him.
JOB’S UNDERSTANDING OF THE HEART
In Chapter 1 of Job, we find him offering burnt offerings for each of his children, because, “It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in the hearts.” He understood that true faith was a matter of the heart, not the outward appearance; however, did he fully comprehend the depth of that within his own heart. Everything Job believed about God and all of his own works were about to be tested by fire. He would struggle to understand, his own beliefs would be refined; but, God’s Divine Purpose brought Job to a closer, intimate joy in God. God also sifted the faulty theology of the prosperity gospel presented by Job’s friends, revealing it as false.
DIVINE PURPOSE OF SUFFERING BRINGS GOOD
Some criticize the discourse between God and Satan in Job 1:7-12, as though; God allowed all this merely to win an argument proving Job was a faithful servant. However, what those critics don’t realize is God could see the chaff within Job’s heart, preventing Job from fully seeing all of God’s Glory. Satan did not realize the truth. All the sorrow, pain, and evil he enacted upon Job would be transformative to good. It grew Job’s knowledge of God, purified Job’s heart, corrected any false theology of Job and his friends, and brought Job to a place of abiding, steadfast joy in God. Therefore, God’s Divine Purpose reigned. God knew Job’s heart and stretched it. Job’s eyes were opened to see God clearly. He also knew just how much Job could withstand without sinning.
At the beginning, Job lives a righteous life; following all of God’s commands. Yet, hidden deep there within the recesses of his heart lay a thread of pride which God knew could one day bring his downfall, unless it was revealed and removed. Job did not even realize it was there; until, God revealed it through allowing the suffering. So, everything Job faced and endured was truly a part of God’s Divine Purpose to bring good to Job
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
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JUST RELEASED
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Recently released Books Available
ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
Credits and Footnotes
Photo by Erik-Jan Leusink on Unsplash