By GFI board member, Mark Woita
Every human being is living out their theology, whether they are aware of it or not.
“As a man thinketh within himself, so he is.” Proverbs 23:7
We Americans have been blessed to live in one of the most prosperous countries in history! Additionally, we have, in the past, lived in one of the most Christian-friendly countries in history. What a combination! We have been blessed!
Job, in the Bible, was one of wealthiest men on earth.
He was also one of the most righteous men before God.
See the parallels?
Because of Job’s righteousness, God placed a hedge of protection and blessing around him and his family. But did Job “live happily ever after”? No!
Satan had been “… roaming about on the earth ….” Job 1:7 (as he does today, 1Peter 1:8), when God asked Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job?”
Satan postulated to God that Job remained a righteous servant because he was blessed, but if God’s blessings were removed, Job would curse God.
So, God gave Satan permission to test Job, to send Job tremendous trials. Satan took all of Job’s children and possessions. Even his wife and friends turned against him. Eventually, Satan was allowed by God to harm Job physically.
Trials reveal character. In the midst of his trials, Job stated, “‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I shall return there. The Lord gave and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord.’ Through all this, Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 2:9
Trials build character! “Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:2-3
If you are NOT currently living through a trial, praise God!
If you ARE currently living through a trial, praise God!
Your life on this earth will, at one time or another, consist of each.
This earth is not our permanent home. God’s creation is unbelievably beautiful and complex. Yet, here on earth, humans suffer from a fallen, sinful nature (in Adam, Romans 5), and suffer from a fallen universe: “For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.” Romans 8:20-22
Therefore … study your Bible, love God, love people, and develop a deep, Biblical theology of life.
“In the day of prosperity be happy,
but in the day of adversity consider –
God has made the one as well as the other ….” Ecclesiastes 7:14