Fear God for Nought?
Job 1:9
Introduction:
- Read Job 1:1-12
- Satan laid out four ways that God has hedged Job in, and claims that is why Job fears God
- Satan does not question that he is a perfect and upright man, and escheweth evil, those things are clearly seen. Truly fearing God may not be seen as easily
- Satan says if you touch that, he will curse you to your face
- Let us take the time to do a self-examination of our fear of God
- If all were lost, damaged, or completely destroyed would you fear or curse God?
Verse 10, “Hast not thou made an hedge about…”
Him
- This is Physical, Verse 12, cannot touch him, 2:1-6 cannot kill him
- 2:7-8 Head to toe! Job was smitten physically bad
- Job’s reaction, verses 9-10 He Did not curse God!
- Life is both, good and evil!
- Why me? Why not you?
- It has been said, “your health is all you have”
- Physical health can affect your emotions, and your spiritual health
- Illustration of when I was stricken with Eczema from head to toe and the affect it had on my spirit and on my spiritual fellowship with God
- Prov.18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
- MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
- Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
- Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?
His House
- This is Personal. That is Job’s family
- He went way beyond the call of duty for his family, Verse 5
- Spouses, children, parents, relatives, relationships, that is your house!
- Illustration of the loss of my spouse and how it grew me closer to God
- Sickness – Birth defects… God made them just as he wished.
- Maureen’s story of raising Hannah and a point where she shook her fist at God.
- Rebellion – of children, and the broken hearts and tears
- MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
- Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
- Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?
All He Hath
- This is all his Possessions
- He had much, Verse 3
- Riches, wealth, Stuff we all have or collect
- Illustration – Hurricanes, Fires, stock market, lose all in a blink of an eye
- Story of my lost wedding ring and how destroyed I was.
- Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
- Verse 20, Job worshiped!
- MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
- Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
- Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?
The work of his hands
- This is his Prestige Job was well known!
- The work of your hands is who you are! Your Identity.
- Your profession, fortune, fame, or reputation
- Being a Mother – empty nest Missionaries that fail on the field
- Illustration of being a Licensed Master Plumber, Business Owner etc. and the feeling of loss when it was over. When it stops, what will you do?
- MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
- Many people get bitter when there is a loss in this area
- Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?
Conclusion:
- We spend much of our time and prayer trying to avoid suffering.
- When suffering causes learning and growth closer to God.
- Truly the suffering passes, and we get to keep all that was learned and the fellowship we have with God.
- MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
- Do you fear God no matter what?