Saluki downtime Nov 11, 2024

Saluki downtime Nov 11, 2024

What are things that are out of your control?

What is something that has negatively impacted your life outside of your control?

Positively

We will talk about Job.

I want to talk about one of the most patient guys in the bible. I want to talk about one of the most God-honoring men of the bible. I want to talk about a guy who handled himself well while God allowed Satan himself to destroy his life.

The Book of Job in the Bible is about a wealthy and pious man named Job who endures unimaginable suffering and loss:

 

Job's life

Job is a wealthy man in the land of Uz with a large family and many flocks. He is known for being blameless, upright, and careful to avoid evil.

 

Satan's challenge

Satan challenges God in heaven, arguing that Job is only good because of God's blessings. God allows Satan to test Job by inflicting suffering on him, including the deaths of his children, livestock, and servants and the development of skin sores.

In the Bible, Job lost 1,000 head of cattle in a series of calamities that also destroyed his property and killed his children and servants: 

• Donkeys: The Sabeans stole Job's donkeys

• Oxen: The Sabeans stole Job's oxen 

• Sheep: Lightning killed Job's sheep and shepherds 

• Camels: Chaldean raiders stole Job's camels and killed his servants 

• Property: A fire destroyed Job's property 

Job was a wealthy man who owned 11,000 head of livestock, including 1,000 cattle, 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, and 500 donkeys. 

Romans 8:2828 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

 

Job's response

Job is devastated by his losses, but he refuses to curse God. He maintains his innocence, but struggles emotionally with what has happened to him.

Is struggling with what God allows to happen in your life a sin?

When or how does this become sinful?

 

Job's friends

Job's friends try to explain his suffering, suggesting that it must be due to guilt. Job's friends initially reacted to his suffering by showing empathy and support, but later their actions became judgmental and accusatory

 

If you see your friend struggling how would you react?

Are you someone who just let's your friend be? Are you someone who wants to ask a lot of questions? Are you someone who takes them out or are you someone who is just there to listen?

How do you let your friends help you? Could you change how you let your friends help you?

What was the end of this story?

Job had everything taken away from him and this was how he chose to end the conversation with God.

42 1-6 Job answered God: from the message.

“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.

    Nothing and no one can upset your plans.

You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water,

    ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’

I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me,

    made small talk about wonders way over my head.

You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.

    Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’

I admit I once lived by rumors of you;

    now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!

I’m sorry—forgive me. I’ll never do that again, I promise!

    I’ll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor.”

This actually convicted me.

How do you react when things don't go your way?

10-11 After Job had interceded for his friends, God restored his fortune—and then doubled it! All his brothers, sisters, and friends came to his house and celebrated. They told him how sorry they were and consoled him for all the trouble God had brought him. Each of them brought generous housewarming gifts.

Do what is right and you will have no regrets.

How many of you have lost a friend for doing the right thing?

Either you will lose friends you didn't need or you will keep the ones you do need.

12-15 God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. He ended up with fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand teams of oxen, and one thousand donkeys. He also had seven sons and three daughters. He named the first daughter Dove, the second, Cinnamon, and the third, Darkeyes. There was not a woman in that country as beautiful as Job’s daughters. Their father treated them as equals with their brothers, providing the same inheritance.

How can you measure your blessings? 

Job's were through possessions in this case. But Job goes on for a different blessing.

16-17 Job lived on another 140 years, living to see his children and grandchildren—four generations of them! Then he died—an old man, a full life.

What are Blessings that you cannot be measure.

Kobe Bryant said that he tried exhausting himself in every practice he did.

Job lived this part of his life to complete exhaustion.

His family didn’t beleive in him.

His friends didn’t believe in him. 

But he trusted God that the outcome would be what God promised. Hope. 

Intentional actions, not reactional or emotional.