HERE COMES TROUBLE!

JOB 23

Pastor Rick Jackson

The man Job was a believer in the one true God. He tried to serve God with his whole being. He did not know that Satan had challenged God concerning Job and that God trusted Job to be faithful. Job lost his wealth, Job lost his family, Job lost his health. Job did not lose his testimony. Job did not curse God. He may have gone a little far in questioning God but even there he was quick to repent and make things right with God. About the middle of the book we find Job answering one of his friends and we get a little insight into his thinking. Note first of all:

I. JOB'S COMPLAINTS [23:1-9]

1. Life had become rough [v. 1-2]

2. Explaining to God would be enough [v. 3-4]

3. Feeling God's presence had become tough [v. 5-9]

II. JOB'S CONFESSION [23:10

A confession in the Bible is not necessarily admitting a sin. Confession in the Bible is being in agreement with God. A lost man does not confess his sins to be saved. He must confess the Lord Jesus Christ. That is, he agrees with God that Christ died to pay for his sins, that Christ rose again the third day proving the payment was enough and that Christ is God, and that by receiving Christ and His payment for sin God will assuredly save him [Rm. 10:9-13].

A saved man confesses that something he did was wrong and that it broke fellowship (not the relationship) with God. He agrees that it was wrong and that God will restore the fellowship on the basis of Christ's shed blood.

Job here agrees with God on several points.

1. God knows what man is going through [v. 10]

2. God is using the circumstances to purify his servant [v. 10]

3. The end result is for man's good and God's glory [v. 10]

III. JOB'S COMMITMENT [v. 11-17]

1. To Keep the Way of God [v. 11]

2. To Keep the Word of God [v. 12]

3. To Keep the Witness of God [v. 13-17]

Job 2:10 But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips.
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
Job 19:25-27 For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.
Job 40:3-5 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further.

Job 42:1-6 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

Ron Hamilton's "Rejoice in the Lord" based on Job and Philippians

Lyrics:

God never moves without purpose or plan.
When trying His servant and molding a man.
Give thanks to the LORD, though your testing seems long.
In darkness, He giveth a song.

*Chorus*O REJOICE IN THE LORD!
He makes no mistake.
He knoweth the end of each path that I take!
For when I am tried and purified,
I shall come forth as gold.

I could not see through the shadows ahead,
So I looked at the cross of my Saviour instead.
I bowed to the will of the Master that day,
Then peace came, and tears fled away!

Now I can see testing comes from above,
God strengthens His children, and purges in love.
My Father knows best, and I trust in His care;
Through purging, more fruit I will bear.

*Chorus*