How to Handle Tough Times:Lessons to Learn from Job

4th of a Series

1 John 5:3-5

July 17 - AM

How to Handle Tough Times

Job suffered much loss He never sinned or abandoned God There are some important lessons we

can learn from the powerful example of Job

Here are 8 lessons we should remember

1 – Faith is the Victory 1 John 5:4b1 John 5:4b - And this is the victory that

has overcome the world—our faith. Job 19:25-27Job 19:25-27 – 25 For I know that my

Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth; 26 And after my skin is destroyed, this I know, That in my flesh I shall see God, 27 Whom I shall see for myself, And my eyes shall behold, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!

1 – Faith is the Victory

Hebrews 13:6 - Hebrews 13:6 - So we may boldly say: “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?”

We walk by faith – 2 Corinthians 5:7 We are saved by faith – Ephesians 2:8

2 – Faith Comes by Hearing

Job 42:5a - Job 42:5a - I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,

Romans 10:17Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

2 – Faith Comes by Hearing

John 20:30-31John 20:30-31 - 30And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.

2 – Faith Comes by Hearing

Psalm 119:11 - Psalm 119:11 - Your word I have hidden in my heart, That I might not sin against You.

We must learn to hear (listen) to God

Without hearing – there is no victory

3 – Never Accuse God of Wrong

Job 40:8 - Job 40:8 - Would you indeed annul My judgment? Would you condemn Me that you may be justified?

Deuteronomy 32:4Deuteronomy 32:4 - He is the Rock, His work is perfect; For all His ways are justice, A God of truth and without injustice; Righteous and upright is He.

3 – Never Accuse God of Wrong

Psalm 145:17 - Psalm 145:17 - The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.

We have no right to accuse the potter of how he chooses to shape the clay

4 – God is in Control

God talks with Job about his suffering Nothing about – “I love you” God does not explain “why” this

happened God’s focus in on power and control

Who CREATED all these things?Do you KNOW the secrets of the universe?Not Job! Only God knows!

4 – God is in Control

When we are suffering – we ask “Why?” It is OK to ask Don’t expect a clear, logical answer When people are suffering, remind them

that God is in control.

5 – All Suffering is not Punitive

Job did not suffer because he was bad, did immoral things, and was being punished

John 9:1-2John 9:1-2 - 1Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”

5 – All Suffering is not Punitive

John 9:3John 9:3 - Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but that the works of God should be revealed in him.

Some suffering might serve to punish Some suffering is the result of the sin of

others – the innocent suffer from it Not all suffering is a form of punishment

6 – We Don’t Know it All

Deuteronomy 29:29Deuteronomy 29:29 - The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

We don’t know the mind of God We can’t explain our universe

7 – Problems Will Come

2 Timothy 3:12 - 2 Timothy 3:12 - Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Acts 14:22Acts 14:22 - strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and saying, “We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God.”

7 – Problems Will Come John 15:20 -John 15:20 -Remember the word that I

said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.

1 Peter 4:121 Peter 4:12 - Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;

8 – Never Give Up!

James 1:12 - James 1:12 - Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.

Galatians 6:9Galatians 6:9 - And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

8 – Never Give Up!

1 Corinthians 15:2b - 1 Corinthians 15:2b - if you hold fast that word which I preached to you—unless you believed in vain.

Revelation 2:10bRevelation 2:10b - Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Luke 21:19Luke 21:19 - By your patience possess your souls.

8 – Never Give Up!

2 Timothy 2:12 - 2 Timothy 2:12 - If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.

Job is an example of patience (James 5:11)

We must wait on the Lord. Never, Never, Never Give Up!

Learn from Job

We have discussed 8 lessons that We have discussed 8 lessons that we must learn from the example of we must learn from the example of Job.Job.

Suffering the Tough Times is a part Suffering the Tough Times is a part of living in this world.of living in this world.

Is your faith ready for the trial?Is your faith ready for the trial?