
Recently I have been attempting to put together a curriculum for our small groups at DBSM. No sooner than I sat down to write it out did the text slowly start to pick me apart. The main point of the first lesson is: Circumstantial faith is fragile, true faith rests in the person and plan of God. At first glance the statement didn't sink in too deeply, but after studying a text recommended by a book by Andy Stanly, I soon began to see a connection to my own life.
The Accusation:
In the book of Job, Satan sends God an interesting accusation. Satan tells God that the reason there is "no one like Job who is blameless and upright, who fears God and turns away from evil" is because God has put a "hedge around him and his house" (Job 1:9-11). What a smart accusation for Satan to make. Sure Job has great faith, look at the cush life you've given him God!
Satan is pointing out a sad fact, that really applies to a lot of us. Satan is saying that Job's faith is circumstantial, it rests on the things going on around him, not on the person and the plan of God.
The Challenge:
After Satan tells God "stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face", God says: "lets rock, but don't lay a hand on my boy" (Job 1:11-12 my translation:))
God grants Satan the permission to take away Job's "circumstances", but not merely just take them away, but take all that is positive and good and turn it into circumstances that are negative and destructive.
The Attempt:
One right after the other, Satan sends the Sabeans to kill many of Job's servants; then fire falls down and burns all the sheep and the servants there; then the Chaldeans raid on the camels and steal them while killing the servants; only to be ended by a great wind that struck the house where Job's sons and daughters were eating and killed all the young people within it (Job 1:13-19)
Satan takes out Job's property which has to make his heart sink, but when he takes out his children can you imagine his pain? Can you understand his doubt?
The Response:
"Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:20-22)
Job's faith was not dependent on those things going on around him, his faith was dependent on the person and the plan of God.... alone.
Our Response:
Me, me, me, me, me... our response is usually centered around ME. How are MY circumstances making ME feel? How did that affect ME? Did God forget about ME? Is God still in control of MY situation? When I'M making money MY faith is strong... when people like ME I love God more... when MY marriage or relationship is going well I praise God more... When MY coach compliments ME I pray a prayer of thanksgiving. Make no mistake Job was sad, but his faith was unshaken. Doubt was not near him. The name of the Lord was just as mighty as it was the day before. We can live the same way. We can live in a way in which our faith is not based on ANY circumstances around us. We can live in such a way that our faith is based on Him and Him alone. We might not understand what He is doing, but we must know that it is Him who is doing it. Bottom line: Do you trust God? Do you trust in the person and the plan of God? Maybe this is why Jesus would say the GREATEST commandment is to love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind (Matt 22:37). Circumstantial faith is fragile, true faith rests in the person and plan of God.
1 comment:
amen, bro, know the truth and it shall set you free!
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