FOR THE GLORY OF GOD

Proclamation:

“As He went along, He saw a man blind from birth.  His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’  ‘Neither this man nor his parents sinned,’ said Jesus, ‘but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him.’”  John 9:1-3 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written by the Apostle John under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  Here, John records the events surrounding the fifth public miracle that Jesus performed, giving sight to a man who was born blind.  Jesus, The Christ, said that this man was born blind so that the works of God could be manifested in him. (John 9:3)  This situation occurred so that The Lord God could be glorified.  Jesus spat on the ground, made some mud with His saliva, and put it on the blind man’s eyes, then told him to go wash in the pool of Siloam. (John 9:6)  The blind man did this and gained sight in his eyes.  When the Pharisees learned of this they were upset because Jesus had again performed a miracle on the Sabbath. (John 9:14-16)

Application:

Sometimes bad things happen to good people, as part of God’s permissive will, that leave us helpless so that He can get the glory when He makes a way out for us when there appears to be no way.  We may at times be helpless but we are never without hope.  Our hope is in The Lord God. (Psalm 31:24 and 33:18)  We may not understand why some things happen, but we know that all things work together for our good. (Romans 8:28)  So, whatever happens, to God be the glory. (Jude 1:25)

WE HAVE A HEDGE OF PROTECTION AROUND US

Proclamation:

"Then The Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job?  There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.'  'Does Job fear God for nothing?' Satan replied.  'Have You not put a hedge around him and his household and everything he has?  You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds are spread throughout the land.  But stretch out Your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face.'" Job 1:6-12 (NIV)

Explanation:

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Job himself.  He reports that one day the angels presented themselves to The Lord and Satan was there with them.  God asked Satan, who had roamed the earth seeking whom he may devour, "Have you considered My servant Job?"  Satan's reply was that God had put a hedge of protection around him.  He said that believers only faithful to God as long as they prosper, take away their prosperity and they will reject God.  Then God allow Satan to test Job's faith.  Initially, Satan was only allowed to mess with Job's possessions, later he would affect Job's health.

Application:
Satan could only attack Job because he had God's sovereign permission.  He could not penetrate the “hedge of protection” that God had around Job until God allowed him to do so.  That "hedge" is all God does to protect us, and all Godly people have a "hedge" around them.  Bad things can happen to Godly people, but it is only a test of our faith.  The Lord gives and the Lord takes away, blessed be the name of The Lord. (Job 1:21)  Satan's limited power is under God's omnipotent and unlimited power and control.  So, whatever you are going through, keep the faith, it's only a test.

OUR BAD TIMES ARE JUST A TEST

Proclamation:

"... Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10 (NIV)

Explanation:

With the aid of The Holy Spirit of God Job spoke these words to his friends and his wife after he had suffered.   Job went from being on top of the world (Job 1:1-3) to losing all of his possessions (Job 1:14-17) and then losing all of his children. (Job 1:18-19)  Then he even lost he health (Job 2:7).  "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." Job 1:22 (NIV) God allowed Satan to test Job. (Job 1:8 & 2:3-6)  Job passed his test; he kept the faith and did not curse God.  He did eventually question God, but he soon repented for doing that.

Application:

No matter how bad things are going with us, none of us have it as bad as Job had it.  Bad things happen to good people.  Some times we are reaping the results of our own bad choices and some times we are just being tested.  Regardless of why we go through bad times, we are to continue to praise God. (James 1:2)  Satan can only do to us what The Lord God permits.  He knows just how much we can bear.  Remember, after Job passed his tests, God blessed him with twice as much as he had before the bad times began. (Job 42:10)  I am sure that there is a blessing in store for each of us if we keep the faith and endure until the end. (James 1:12)  When bad things happen to us, we should pray and continue to have faith in God.  He can bring us through it, whatever it is.  We can’t have a testimony until we first go through a test.  Bad times are only a test.