Introduction: Are you suffering? Are you serving? Why would a good God allow His people to suffer? Remember, Jesus suffered for us (1Pet 1:21-24). It is almost as if we owe Him. But truthfully, we can never repay Him. Howbeit, we can “want to” live a life that pleases Jesus. With that being said, remember, being a servant of Christ Jesus means that we will be “tested”.

 

1. Job was a SERVANT of the Lord! (Job 1:8) – “And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?”

 

By the way, the word “servant” is עֶבֶד: (eh’-bed), which means slave, or it can mean bondservant. Did you notice that Almighty God called Job, “my servant”? Wonder if that could said of you and me? Nevertheless, although Job was not perfect, he definitely had a heart for his God, and the Lord knew it! Besides that, God wanted the devil to know about his servant Job. Do you wonder why? Do not forget that Satan is the accuser and deceiver! And yet, God is greater. While this narrative of Job which depicts him going from the mountain top to the valley, from riches to rags, and from blessings to curses, it also illustrates that even the best of SERVANTS will be severely tested. Please note, the Lord allowed it. Why? Remember. Some suffering is directly related to sin, some is simply to glorify the Lord, but as in this case, here it seemed to purify the saints, namely Job. Is your faith in God being tested?

 

Here is the accuser doing what he does best – lie! God always has the final say so!! Do you hear what Satan accused Job of? He said in essence, sure he’s upright and serving because EVERYTHING is going his way!! Remove the protection, let me hit him with afflictions, then his true colors will come out, said the devil. Fast forwarding, that was not the case with Job; the devil was wrong! Even though Job suffered immensely, God preserved him until the end; and blessed him twice as much than in the beginning.