BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO PERSEVERES IN THE FACE OF TRIALS

Pastor Bill Marks, Christian Fellowship, Potchefstroom, Tel: (018) 293 1608 or 082 260 5965 During Israel’s calamity, God said to Moses and Aaron that each man had to take a lamb as offering for his family. Exodus 12:5 - “Your lamb shall be without blemish, a male of the first year. You may take it from the sheep or from the goats.” The Hebrew word for “without blemish”, is tamiym: “unblemished”, “spotless”, “healthy”, “complete” and “blameless”. Lev. 22:21 - “And whoever offers a sacrifice of a peace offering to the Lord, to fulfil his vow, or a freewill offering from the cattle or the sheep, it must be perfect to be accepted; there shall be no defect in it.” God raised the issue of Job’s immaculate character to Satan, for He delighted in Job’s godliness. Job 1:8 - “Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’” God’s key to dealing with man is that He looks at his heart. Blameless means: the absence of even a charge or accusation against a person. HOWEVER, WE ALL MAKE MISTAKES We don’t do everything right, and there are times that we say something to someone and they interpret it incorrectly. But it is not the desire of our hearts to wrong any person. Job 1:12 - “And the Lord said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’ So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” THE DEVIL FUNCTIONS WITHIN GOD’S PURPOSES Job 2:9 - “Then his wife said to him, ‘Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!’” A man perseveres in the midst of trials by walking blameless and upright before the Lord. Verse 10: “But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?’ In all this Job did not sin with his lips.” Job’s wife blamed God, and his three friends tried to convince him that his sufferings were inflicted by God as punishment for his sins. But in all this Job did not blame God. EVERYBODY NEEDS SOMEBODY There are no such things as self-made men and women. Everybody needs friendship and encouragement to help them through trials. King Solomon stated the value of friendship and support: Eccl. 4:9 - “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up.” WHAT WOULD IT PROFIT ME TO GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD AND LOSE MY FAMILY? I am sure that Job was benumbed by the circumstances. His wealth was gone and his children dead. Yet as we see in Job 13:15 he says: “Though He slay me yet will I trust (hope) in Him.” Hope is to wait (persevere) steadfastly for God’s mercy. Remember the motto of French World War I hero, Marshall Ferdinand Foch: "There are no hopeless situations; there are only men and women who have grown hopeless about them." If you understand God’s true nature He will lead you to hope and redeem you during your trials and tribulations. Job 19:25 - “I know that my Redeemer liveth.” We all go through some degree of tests and trials in our life. God has the foreknowledge to anticipate our every trial and as He favoured Job, so He too will favour you (Job 33:26). Job prayed to God and found favour with Him. “Charis” is the Greek word for FAVOUR. It means: GRACE IN THE PART OF THE GIVER, IT IS A FREE GIFT. Job persevered through his trials by fearing God. Job 23:10 - “But He knoweth the way that I take. When He hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.” James 1:12 - “Blessed is the man that endureth the test, for when he is tried he shall receive the crown of life.” As you overcome your trials you will receive the Victor’s Crown. To persevere during your trials, offer the Lord your weakness, because His strength is made perfect in your weakness. As a Christian you are to make up your mind to carry on courageously and still obtain the blessings of God in spite of Satanic opposition. Ex. 12:13 - “When I see the blood I will pass over you.” ONE LIFE LAID DOWN FOR ANOTHER In the Old Testament the people’s sins were covered by the sacrifice of bulls and goats, but not removed. Under the New Covenant our sins are completely removed by the Blood of Jesus. 1 Peter 1:19 - “You were redeemed with the precious Blood of Christ as a lamb without blemish and without spot.” Job 42:2 - “I know that you CAN DO ALL THINGS and that no thought can be withholden from thee.” JOB REALIZES THAT GOD AND HIS PURPOSES ARE SUPREME. AND SO SHOULD WE! Sponsored by TG TRADERS