November 7, 2020

Appointed Time - Bro. T. Stephen

I greet and bless everyone in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord.  The blessed word that God   has given for you today is from the book of Job 14:13,      “Oh that you would hide me in the grave, that you would conceal me, until your wrath is past. That you would appoint me a set time, and remember me.”

From the above context we learn about a man called Job. He was a good man. He trusted God. But Job had terrible troubles. The devil with the permission of God   caused a lot of trouble to Job. On a particular day Job lost all his wealth, his cattle, his servants, and his ten children while they were eating and drinking in their elder brother’s house. Hearing this Job tore his clothes and shaved his head and fell to the ground and worshipped God. He said the “Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.”  God permitted Job to suffer, to test his faith.  Job’s friends instead of comforting him during his time of trial gave wrong advice to him.  They did not think that God would allow an innocent person to suffer. So they thought that Job was guilty. They thought that Job had committed some grave sin. But Job explained that he was innocent. Job thought that God should help him. The Bible says, “In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Even his wife hurt his feelings. She couldn’t bear to see him sit on ash heap scratching his skin filled with boils. His wife told him to curse God and die. But he said to her, “Shall we accept good from God and shall we not accept adversity.” Job was sure that after being afflicted, God will restore him good days in life. 

Job was going through severe affliction, He was filled with shame and dishonour, He was rebuked and despised by those who once respected him. He was in his worst situation, so he thinks it would be better for him to hide somewhere from all these people who critized and mocked his integrity. He was a righteous man, upright and blameless and one who feared God and shunned evil. There is an expectation that he would live again at some future period, and a desire to live after he has passed the period of affliction. He was confident that God wouldn’t forsake him even though he lost everything in life. And he thought grave could hide him until the wrath of God is past   from him.

Job requests God to appoint him a set time – When he should be delivered or rescued   from the trials and afflictions he was going through.  He says, “Appoint me a set time” or an appointed time when God would remember or revisit him. It is the expression of his lingering love of life. He was struck down by heavy trials, and desired a release. He longed   to be hid even in the grave; and he is willing to be hid for any period of time until the wrath of God should pass by, if he might live again.  This is the longing of every person, to live after the period of trial. Job in the same way has the secret hope of some future life. God was proud of Job. Job was special to God. God knows his people.  God knows everything about us . He sees our secret actions.  He hears our quiet prayers. He is better than a friend.  He is closer than a brother. God loves his people.

Dearly Beloved, Do You believe the tale of Job and his trial, and how his latter part of life was blessed by God because, after being tested he came forth as pure gold tested in fire. Terrible things might happen to us, even in our life.  But we should be bold to face it through the strength of God. God has a wonderful reward for us in heaven.  We must not be afraid of troubles. God knows us. And he cares about us. God knew that Job would endure all the sufferings.  Our God is a merciful God.  

You can simply trust God as Job did.   He will not allow us to suffer troubles that are too difficult for us. And God will help us when we go through troubles. The Bible says, “God is faithful and He will not allow, you to be tempted, beyond, what you are able. But with the temptation, will also make a way of escape,   that you may be able to bear it.” You are not alone when you suffer troubles. God will make you strong in him. So do not be afraid.  Just as the Lord restored Job’s losses, and gave Job twice as much as he had. God will bless you too. He will bless you with a double portion of blessing. God   Bless   you.

 Prayer:  Our loving heavenly Father, we thank You for this blessed day. Lord thank You for instructing us through the story of Job that we ought to be patient when we go through trials. Not to murmur, but be humble in the presence of God. Then, He will change our sorrow into Joy and our mourning to dancing. Teach us never to sin with our lips but to trust in the Lord Almighty to the very end of our trial. In Jesus name we pray.

Amen.