Humans Focus on Breakdowns

The problem with speeches isn’t so much not knowing when to stop, as knowing when not to begin.

-Francis Rodman

What goes into someone’s mouth does not make them ‘unclean.’ It’s what comes out of their mouth that makes them ‘unclean.’

It’s been said that life is full of ups and downs. There are moments when things may appear rosy; there are also times when things may not go as planned. There are moments of joy and there are moments to reflect and mourn over certain losses that we may have in life. In the scriptures, Solomon told us about times and seasons. There is a time and season to everything that happens in our lives. In the book of Ecclesiastes, we are told this:

“To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;

A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;

A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance.” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4, KJV)

 

So, from this scripture we see that there are several seasons in life. We can’t see everything that will happen to us in life, but whatever happens to us, we must develop the capacity to manage the situations that happen to us in life. The scriptures are given to us to find direction, solutions, and make key changes in our lives. In the life of Job, in the scriptures we are told about this man who feared God and was very rich in his time. In his time, he was a man that really feared God and did not mingle with evil. He was rich and well-known amongst the people, and he also had a very large family. Usually, he offered sacrifice on behalf of his children because he wasn’t sure if they had erred against God in their hearts. He was a man that wanted to be right with God at all times. He wanted to live a life that was pleasing to God.

The scriptures are given to us to find direction, solutions, and make key changes in our lives.

This is what the Bible says about him, “There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil” (Job 1:1, KJV). This was a perfect description that the scripture gave about the man Job. There came a time when there was a conversation in heaven about Job. The conversation was between God and the devil. The devil, who is the accuser of brethren, was out to find fault with Job. God put a hedge of protection around Job, his family, and all that He blessed him with.[i]

The Devil saw this and pointed out the fact that the reason Job was so happy and loyal to God was because of the things God had blessed him with. God gave the go-ahead to afflict Job but not to take his life. This was to be a test, a means to shape him more into the kind of person God wanted him to be. The enemy immediately swung into action. Almost in a twinkling of an eye, he lost his entire cattle, servants, his children, and even in marriage. He was left with nothing. In no time, his health also deteriorated and he had boils all over his body.

Despite these many calamities that befell him, he did not renounce his trust and hope in God. Rather, he was strong in faith. He even gave glory to God amidst everything he was suffering. He refused to curse God in his heart and even with his mouth. His wife came to him and advised him to curse God. Apparently, she also could not understand how such evil could befall her husband. Perhaps, she felt she would live on and move on without him being alive. While Job was going through all these, he did not renounce his faith in God. The scripture records, “Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him” (Job 13:15, KJV). He trusted God despite all that befell him.

Being a Christian is not an invitation to a life of constant ease, smile, and merriment. There will be tough times too.

 

From the story of Job, we see that when certain negative experience comes upon a believer, it does not mean God has left us. Believers should learn and be able to find hope and confidence in God even during the trying times in life. His story gives us much hope and encouragement and it even gives us a roadmap on how we should live our own lives on earth. Being a Christian is not an invitation to a life of constant ease, smile, and merriment. There will be tough times too. The bible makes us understand that there will be persecutions. There will be trials. The world will mock us and try to ridicule us because of our faith in God. This is something that should be expected, anticipated, and even prepared for.

When the early apostles were arrested, detained, and flogged mercilessly, they rejoiced that they could be partakers of the suffering of Christ on earth. They counted themselves worthy of losing all –even their lives, for the sake of the gospel. Their faith and hope in God were not shaken despite the many persecutions they faced at the hands of their fellow men. Many of the disciples of Jesus died just like their master. Even John the Beloved who escaped death was first thrown into a pot of boiling oil, but he didn’t die. God preserved him.

 

Persecutions, trials, and temptations are part of the life of a believer. In fact, God uses these things to shape our faith and strengthen our resolve to follow Him. This is why the scripture says, “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Pe. 1:7, KJV).

 God longs to have constant fellowship with us and to guide us through every step we take in life. With the guidance of God, we can accomplish very great things.

 

Apart from Job, there are other men and women in the scriptures who shared a very special relationship with God. This relationship was characterized by commitment, dedication, love, and sacrifice. Some of them include Enoch, Abraham, Paul, and a host of others. Abraham walked closely with God to the extent that God called Abraham His friend. This unique relationship they shared helps us to learn more about God. God longs to have constant fellowship with us and to guide us through every step we take in life. With the guidance of God, we can accomplish very great things. When we fall out of touch with God, we miss out of the great things that He has in store for us.

 

Experience the Power of Prophecy as a gift to open your mind to receive the Mind of Christ.

 

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