April 03 2007

[barry]

You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome Jehovah gave.—Jas. 5:11.

Job experienced profound distress. He suffered financial ruin, the loss of his children, and a painful disease. He also grappled with false charges that Jehovah was punishing him. However, he never lost faith, nor did he break his integrity. He did not curse God as Satan said he would. (Job 1:11, 21) The outcome? Jehovah “blessed the end of Job afterward more than his beginning.” (Job 42:12) Like Job, we may suffer sickness or other hardships. We may not fully understand why Jehovah allows us to undergo a particular trial. Yet, if we remain faithful, we will be blessed. Jehovah without fail rewards those earnestly seeking him. (Heb. 11:6) Jesus said: “He that has endured to the end is the one that will be saved.”—Matt. 10:22; 24:13. w 2/1/06 17-19

[stayawake]

Thank you Barry,
I like to think we can always reflect on dear Job when it come time s we feel we are in a rut.
A good thing to keep us going is to know from what source, we are under attack, and why.
Where dear Job had no idea why he was under attack, or by whom. His friends insisted he must have displeased Jehovah, so there was no comfort from them.
Job certainly set a very good example for all of us.

[barry]

Indeed. sometimes we might get the feeling some things are not going as we would expect. We can worry for maybe small things. When we think about Jobs situation most of our concerns are nothing compared to this.
So, it can help us to relativate our problems and know that Jehovah is always there to help us.

[eyes&ears]

Hello everyone out there :wave:

I truly believe once we fully understand and appreciate why we go through the not so pleasant experiences that life in this system throws at us, it helps us to not only rely on Jehovah, but to cope until we are able to get through whatever negative situations we are experiencing.

It also helps to have association with those strong, loving and mature in their faith in Jehovah to help us to HOLD ON TIGHT. It is not healthy to isolate oneself and try to walk our spiritual/life journey alone. Jehovah did not make us that way. We all need others.

The spirit of the world today certainly does not show that it is motivated by love. Once we understand this, and stay in Jehovah's word we can get through anything. (Phil 4:13)

How wonderful Jehovah is to have had these examples of faithfulness, loyalty and love recorded for our encouragement to HOLD ON TIGHT AND NEVER LET HIM GO.

Love to you all

E & E

[Elihu]

the book of Job is a gift from Jehovah to all those who seek him
it is a valuable insight into the machinations of the devil. his challenge of Jehovahs rulership over mankind and the accusation he makes to about mankinds motives for serving jehovah.
like any liar he continues to lie to support his previous lie.

notably in the garden of eden he made a charge against Jehovah by telling eve that she would "positively not die" and also he insinuated that Jehovah was keeping something really precious from the first humans in that they would "become like God knowing good and bad"

in the book of job he changes tact and makes the alegation to Jehovah that Job and indeed mankind will only worship Jehovah if he protects them and gives them good things in their lives
job1 v9-11
"at that satan answered Jehovah and said
"is it for nothing that job has feared God.? have not you yourself put up a hedge about him and about his house and about everything that he has all around?
the work of his hands you have blessed and his livestock itself has spread abroad on the earth. But for a change thrust out your hand please and touch everything that he has and see whether he will not curse you to your very face"

no wonder Job was confused and questioned Jehovah about his predicament and claimed that Jehovah was being unjust to him.
this is when driven by Gods spirit Elihu the son of barachel the buzite enters the scene and corrects
job v 8-9
" and the sound of your words i keep hearing
" i am pure without transgression, clean i am and i have no error
v 10 look occaisions for opposition to me he finds. he takes me for an enemy of his. he puts my feet in the stocks. he watches all my paths"

Elihu corrects Job
"look in this you have not been in the right i answer you for God is much more than mortal man why is it against him that you contend? v 12

a good example of how satan can confuse us and affect our thinking abilities.

Elihu