ALWAYS FAITHFUL
- Key Verse
- "Can you fathom the mysteries of God? Can you probe the limits of the Almighty?" (Job 11:7)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
God's ways are not always discernible, but He is always faithful.
Reflections
After reading this chapter, I have learned a great deal about what true faith really means. Over the last year (like most of us), I have been through many significant changes and have dealt with some very deep issues as well. Pain and uncertainty, losing a very good job, changing careers, taking huge loses financially, and working though some personal things all at the same time. Now, as I look back over the last year or so, I have been able to see some pretty amazing things happen within my life. I have been able to figure out one big thing that's actually rather simple: As long as I stay out of the way and allow my faith and trust to be put into God's hands, life is MUCH better. (Imagine that!) I need to remind myself and remember that God has a plan for all of us. If we allow Him to work in our lives, He will always be faithful.This chapter of Job is a good example of what true faith means. Job was a VERY faithful man to God and lived by His Word. He was a prosperous farmer, had thousands of sheep and livestock, a large family, and many servants to aid and tend to his needs. Satan came to God and told God that the only reason Job was being faithful was because of all of the wealth and possessions he had acquired. God gave Satan a challenge and told him to take all he wanted from Job just to show that he would maintain his faith. Satan did just that. Even though Job was left with nothing, he still chose to be faithful to his Lord God. Job's wife told him that he should turn against God, and his friends assumed God took everything away from Job as punishment. Job continued to remain faithful to God, eventually regaining all that he lost.
Remember to be faithful to God, because He will ALWAYS be faithful to us.
Discussion Questions
1. Have you ever been in a situation where you were doubting your faith in God and not trusting in His plan for you? Did the situation resolve itself in a good or bad outcome? What do you think the lesson was for you?2. Why do you think bad things happen to faithful believers? Can it be all part of God's plan and Him teaching us to trust in His faithfulness?
3. Have there been times in your life where others have doubted your spiritual (or non-spiritual) beliefs? Did you find it hard to maintain your faith? How did you handle the situation, and how did it make you feel at the time?
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Chip Smith
March 15, 2010 05:38 AM
Good morning Robert. Don't you just love Volente, especially since the lake is back up? Diana and I were at Cafe Blue Saturday on our date night enjoying the sun setting over the lake in a blaze of colors. We love it here. Zophar wasn't a very empathetic friend was he? What I like about Job's friends is that they remind me how not to be with someone who is suffering :-( I used to do our previous church's hospital visitations. I would be praying for wisdom all the way from the parking lot, into the hospital, down the hall, and into their room. Sometimes, there would be family members who would get irritated like Zophar. It was especially difficult if everyone in the room including the patient did not have the hope of the resurrection. Knowing Jesus changes everything. Have a great day.
Jim kirchner
March 15, 2010 06:45 AM
Rob - thanks for sharing on this.JTJ has offered many opportunities to get to know others in our church family. Appreciate your thoughts on Lifes challenges and God's promise of hope!
Tim Hawks
March 15, 2010 08:00 AM
Thanks, Rob. This is right on. God is always faithful which should motivate us to hang on. Too often we lose our hope and then loosen our grip. In our attempt to fix things, we make them worse. God has our lives in His hands and He will lead us home.
Sara
March 15, 2010 08:29 AM
I needed to hear this today. Thank you for articulating God's words of encouragement.
Brenda Lincoln
March 15, 2010 10:09 AM
Thank you sweetie for having and choosing to use your faith! God is amazing, he continues to surprise me daily with the work he's doing in both of us! Without him, where would we be?? Thank you for choosing me to join you in this journey of Life! I Love You!
Tom
March 15, 2010 12:12 PM
Rob, Thanks for your encouragement and your testimony. I loved when you said, "As long as I stay out of the way and allow my faith and trust to be put into God's hands, life is MUCH better." That is right in line with what Tim shared yesterday in his sermon. God's ways are ALWAYS better and HIS Hope is always more sure... and ETERNAL.
Dick Miller
March 15, 2010 04:05 PM
Rob, great thoughts. Thanks.A close friend Bill Watson (he and Sandy went with the Pflugerville plant) shared this bit of wisdom they have learned through experience. "When I cannot see God's hand, I must trust his heart."