Sermon Central
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The Lord Giveth, The Lord Taketh Away
Contributed by Herman E. Wesley Iii on Sep 12, 2010 (message contributor)
Summary: he fact that God alone is sovereign, having all power, must be understood by every person who would enter into a covenant relationship with the Lord. That the sacrificial death of Christ on Calvary’s cross was not to enable us: to never get sick,
• In verse number 14 and 15 he loses all his oxen and asses, and some servants.
• in verse number 16 he loses all his sheep, and some more servants.
• In verse number 17 he loses all his camels, and some more servants.
• In verse number 18 he loses all his sons and all his daughters...
and these things did not occur over a period of a few years or a few months or even a few days, but the operative phrase sandwiched between each calamity was "while he was yet speaking," which indicates that all of these things, all of these calamities, all of these troubles, all of this sorrow, all of these burdens came crashing in on Job at one time...
Are you hearing what I’m saying?
I am talking tonight to modern man who gets frustrated and at wit’s end when the doorbell rings and the phone rings and the baby cries and the children are hitting one another, and there’s food burning on top of the stove, all at the same time...I’m wanting you to comprehend, if you can, when the then came in Job’s grief! As everything he loved came crashing down right before his eyes, it is then that JOB AROSE!
His nature has now been stirred to its depths. He was deeply moved, deeply troubled, but He didn’t fall out, he didn’t fall down, it was then that JOB AROSE! He arose, and he rent his mantle. The mantle was a long outer garment worn by men of rank, and by priests. When he rent it, or tore it, that was a sign of sorrow and humiliation. Job was neither too insensible to feel grief, nor too proud to acknowledge it. There are some people who act like they never have troublesome days, they never had hard days, they never had difficult times or challenges to face. I’m not saying you need to walk around wearing your cares on your sleeves, but reality will teach you that difficult days will come, and don’t be so stoic and strong that you can’t shed a tear, don’t be so proud and haughty that you don’t need a shoulder to lean upon. Sometimes calamities will come just to teach you that in spite of who you think you are, you cannot make it by yourself! JESUS [GOOD GOD ALMIGHTY] WEPT! SAY AMEN IF YOU CAN! TROUBLE CAN BE A BLESSING WHEN IT LEADS TO YOU HUMBLING YOURSELF BEFORE GOD. Satan expected to see Job standing on his feet and cursing God, BUT SATAN IS NOW DISAPPOINTED!
II. JOB’S PIETY (verse 20-21)
What is piety? Piety is religious devotion and reverence to God. We see Job’s grief, but we also see Job’s piety. Our text says he "worshipped." He praised God and acknowledged His sovereignty. He bowed submissively to God’s will and God’s dispensations. Instead of cursing God, Job adores His justice, goodness, and holiness. Afflictions draw a godly man nearer to God instead of driving him from God. A sign of a gracious heart is when you are found to be worshipping while God is chastising. Someone has said, "That trouble cannot but be blest which brings us to our knees." He worships, and he opens his mouth, and now heaven and hell stand at attention, God and Satan set their gaze, for words are about to spill forth from the lips of the one who, without his own knowledge nor consent, is on trial. His mouth opens, and it is not as Satan expects! I need to stop right here for a hot minute, because someone needs to know that Satan is expecting something from you...He has already sent out the words and they are looking for a lodging place in your heart and a launching pad from your tongue! He wanted Job to curse God, he expected Job to curse God, but instead of cursing, Job blessed!
