Job's Strong Second Answer

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Job\ chapter\ 16\ and\ Job\ chapter\ 17\.\ Now\ this\ past\ week\ I\ had\ an\ opportunity\ to\ talk\ to\ one\ of\ the\ men\ of\ our\ church\ who\ has\ gone\ through\ some\ very\ difficult\ times\ and\ he\ was\ telling\ me\ how\ he\ longed\ to\ be\ here\ on\ Wednesdays\ or\ how\ he\ longed\ to\ be\ here\ on\ Sundays\.\ Physically,\ he's\ just\ incapable\ of\ being\ here,\ and\ yet\ he\ said\ these\ words,\ \"'As\ sick\ as\ I\ am,\ I\ realize\ that\ these\ are\ the\ best\ years\ of\ my\ life\ in\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ my\ wife\ and\ I\ are\ rejoicing\ about\ what\ God\ is\ doing\ in\ our\ lives\.'\"\ And\ as\ I\ sat\ and\ listened\ to\ him,\ he\ just\ began\ to\ talk\.

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And\ as\ I\ listened\ to\ him,\ I\ realized\ that\ here\ was\ a\ man\ who\ truly\ wanted\ to\ be\ here\ but\ couldn't\.\ There\ are\ many\ who\ could\ be\ here,\ they\ just\ don't\ come\.\ But\ he\ longs\ to\ be\ here\.\ He\ says,\ \"'I\ love\ our\ church,'\ he\ says,\ \"'I\ love\ the\ people\ of\ our\ church\.\ I\ love\ how\ they\ pray\ for\ us\ and\ we\ can\ pray\ for\ them\.'\"\ He\ goes,\ \"'I\ just\ wish\ I\ could\ be\ with\ them\ every\ Wednesday\ and\ Sunday\.'\"\ And\ I\ was\ so\ impressed,\ so\ impacted\ by\ his\ words\ because\ he\ really\ longed\ to\ be\ here,\ and\ yet\ his\ walk\ with\ the\ Lord\ is\ the\ best\ it's\ ever\ been\ in\ spite\ of\ his\ pain,\ in\ spite\ of\ his\ misery,\ in\ spite\ of\ the\ hardship\ he's\ going\ through\.

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I\ thought\ about\ him,\ of\ course\ my\ heart\ was\ turned\ to\ Job\ and\ realizing\ that\ as\ impressed\ as\ I\ was\ with\ this\ man\ who\ was\ a\ part\ of\ our\ church,\ I\ wonder\ how\ impressed\ people\ were\ with\ Job\ when\ they\ walked\ by\ him\ and\ they\ heard\ him\ and\ they\ listened\ to\ him\.\ I\ wonder\ if\ at\ any\ time\ they\ were\ impacted\ by\ his\ life\.\ The\ more\ I\ read\ the\ book\ of\ Job,\ the\ more\ impressed\ I\ am\ with\ how\ he\ responds\ and\ how\ he\ sits\ in\ silence\ and\ waits\ for\ the\ opportunity\ to\ speak,\ and\ doesn't\ interrupt\ anybody\.\ It's\ hard\ to\ talk\ to\ people\ today\ because\ we\ always\ have\ to\ get\ a\ word\ in\ edgewise,\ right\?

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And\ so\ we're\ always\ interrupting\ somebody\ when\ they're\ talking,\ but\ Job\ never\ interrupts\ anybody\.\ He\ just\ sits\ and\ he\ listens\.\ And\ yet\ as\ I\ go\ through\ this,\ I\ realize\ that\ I'm\ reading\ some\ of\ the\ same\ things\ I've\ read\ before\ and\ I'm\ reading\ them\ again\ and\ again,\ and\ the\ conversation's\ over\ and\ over\.\ It\ becomes\ so\ monotonous\ and\ so\ tedious,\ and\ I\ think,\ I\ wonder\ what\ Job\ thought,\ heard\ the\ same\ thing\ over\ and\ over\ again,\ you're\ a\ wicked\ sinner\.\ That's\ why\ God's\ punishing\ you\.\ You\ sinned\ against\ God\.

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He\ hears\ it\ over\ and\ over\ and\ over\ again,\ and\ as\ often\ as\ I\ read\ the\ book\ of\ Job\ and\ realize\ that\ as\ I\ study\ it,\ I'm\ so\ tired\ of\ hearing\ the\ same\ argument\ over\ and\ over\ and\ over\ again\.\ I\ wonder\ how\ tired\ he\ must\ be,\ how\ worn\ out\ he\ must\ be,\ how\ grieved\ is\ his\ soul\ when\ he\ listens\ to\ his\ comforters\ criticize\ him\ and\ condemn\ him\.\ And\ so\ as\ I\ read\ through\ the\ book\ and\ as\ you\ read\ through\ the\ book,\ you\ go\ after\ one\ conversation\ to\ the\ next\ conversation\ to\ the\ next\ conversation,\ it's\ like,\ okay,\ enough\ already,\ let's\ move\ on\ to\ the\ end\.

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Let's\ get\ to\ what\ God\ has\ to\ say\ about\ this\ whole\ process\.\ It's\ all\ a\ part\ of\ learning\ about\ hope\ and\ belief\ in\ your\ God\ and\ trusting\ your\ God\ amidst\ difficult\ circumstances,\ because\ God\ is\ sovereign,\ He\ rules\ over\ all\.\ And\ so\ the\ next\ time\ you're\ reading\ through\ the\ book\ of\ Job\ or\ you\ come\ to\ Bible\ study\ on\ Wednesday\ night\ and\ we're\ going\ through\ the\ book\ of\ Job\ and\ take\ care\ of\ all\ 42\ chapters\ and\ you\ get\ tired\ of\ hearing\ the\ same\ thing\ over\ and\ over\ again,\ just\ think\ of\ how\ tired\ Job\ was\ of\ hearing\ the\ same\ thing\ over\ and\ over\ and\ over\ again,\ except\ you\ don't\ have\ to\ answer\ his\ critics,\ he\ does\.

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And\ the\ way\ he\ responds\ is\ so\ remarkable\.\ So\ as\ you\ look\ at\ Job\ 16\ and\ 17\ this\ evening,\ four\ points,\ three\ in\ chapter\ 16\ and\ one\ in\ chapter\ 17,\ we're\ going\ to\ look\ at\ Job's\ disappointment,\ then\ Job's\ distress,\ then\ his\ dependency\ then\ his\ despondency,\ that's\ chapter\ 17\.

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So\ four\ points,\ we're\ going\ to\ look\ at\ it\ as\ we\ read\ through\ it\ together,\ and\ then\ we're\ going\ to\ draw\ four\ principles\ from\ these\ two\ chapters\.

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It's\ very\ important\ to\ realize\ that\ as\ you\ go\ through\ the\ text,\ there\ are\ certain\ principles\ that\ we\ draw\ from\ them\ to\ help\ us\ understand\ what\ it\ is\ we\ learn\ from\ Job,\ what\ it\ is\ Job\ is\ learning\ as\ he's\ going\ through\ this\ every\ single\ day\ that\ we\ might\ apply\ it\ to\ our\ own\ lives\.\ Okay\?\ So\ let's\ begin\ with\ Job's\ disappointment\.\ It\ begins\ in\ verse\ number\ one\.

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He\ says,\ I\ have\ heard\ many\ such\ things\.\ What\ things\?\ I've\ heard\ many\ of\ these\ maxims,\ I've\ heard\ many\ of\ these\ solemn\ platitudes,\ I've\ heard\ what\ you\ guys\ have\ had\ to\ say,\ it's\ not\ anything\ new\ to\ me\.\ This\ is\ this,\ miserable\ comforters\ are\ you\ all\.\ I\ wonder\ how\ they\ took\ this\.\ Well,\ next\ week\ when\ we\ talk\ about\ Bildad,\ Bildad\ is\ going\ to\ be\ pretty\ angry\ next\ week\ when\ we\ talk\ about\ him\.\ But\ he\ just\ calls\ them\ miserable\ comforters\.\ Now\ remember\ back\ in\ chapter\ 6,\ he\ called\ them\ deceitful\ brooks,\ and\ in\ chapter\ 13,\ he\ called\ them\ worthless\ physicians\.

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In\ other\ words,\ he\ knows\ that\ their\ words\ did\ not\ bring\ any\ comfort\ to\ him\.\ They\ did\ not\ meet\ him\ at\ his\ deepest\ level\.\ And\ so\ he's\ finally\ going\ to\ say,\ okay,\ you\ guys\ have\ to\ realize\ what\ I've\ heard\ you\ say\ is\ nothing\ new\ to\ me\.

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But\ I\ want\ to\ let\ you\ know\ that\ in\ your\ effort\ to\ comfort\ me,\ you've\ only\ increased\ my\ misery\.\ You\ truly\ are\ troublesome\ comforters\.\ And\ that\ had\ to\ hit\ them\ pretty\ hard\ to\ realize\ that\ they're\ really\ trying\ to\ convince\ Job\ that\ he\ is\ a\ wicked\ man\.\ And\ he\ is\ so\ wicked\ that\ God\ has\ caused\ this\ punishment\ to\ come\ upon\ him\ in\ such\ a\ way\ that\ he\ is\ suffering\ immensely\.\ You\ see,\ Job\ knows\ he's\ not\.\ Job\ knows\ he's\ a\ sinner,\ but\ he\ knows\ he\ hasn't\ committed\ some\ violent\ crime,\ some\ violent\ sin\ against\ his\ God\.

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And\ so\ he\ calls\ them\ miserable\ comforters\.\ Now\ we\ know\ that\ from\ the\ text\ that\ Satan\ isn't\ on\ the\ scene\.\ Physically,\ he's\ not\ on\ the\ scene\.\ We\ know\ about\ Job\ chapter\ 1\ and\ Job\ chapter\ 2\ and\ the\ conversation\ in\ the\ heavens\ and\ how\ God\ offered\ up\ Job\ to\ Satan\.\ But\ we\ know\ that\ Satan\ is\ not\ here\.\ But\ we\ do\ know\ where\ Satan\ is\.\ Revelation\ 12\.10\ tells\ us\ he\ accuses\ the\ brethren\ day\ and\ night\ before\ the\ throne\ of\ God\.\ Satan\ is\ an\ accuser\.\ And\ so\ he's\ always\ accusing\ the\ brethren\.\ That's\ why\ we\ have\ an\ advocate,\ the\ Lord\ Jesus\ Christ,\ 1\ John\ 2\ verse\ number\ 1\.

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He's\ our\ advocate\.\ He's\ our\ defense\ attorney\.\ He's\ the\ one\ who\ lives\ to\ make\ intercession,\ Hebrews\ chapter\ 7,\ for\ us\ constantly\.\ He\ intercedes\ on\ our\ behalf\.\ He's\ our\ advocate\.\ We\ need\ an\ advocate\ because\ we\ have\ an\ accuser\.\ Satan\ is\ the\ accuser\.\ But\ Satan\ will\ use\ people\ in\ such\ a\ way\ to\ get\ them\ to\ throw\ his\ fiery\ darts\.\ And\ he's\ using\ these\ three\ miserable\ comforters\.\ And\ the\ sad\ thing\ is\ they\ don't\ even\ know\ they're\ being\ used\ by\ Satan,\ like\ most\ people\ don't\.\ Job's\ wife,\ she\ had\ no\ idea\ she\ was\ used\ by\ Satan,\ right\?

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Remember\ back\ in\ chapter\ 2\ verse\ number\ 9,\ curse\ God\ and\ die\.\ Just\ be\ done\ with\ it\.\ Why\ would\ you\ hold\ fast\ your\ integrity\?\ Just\ curse\ God\ and\ die,\ and\ it's\ going\ to\ be\ over\ for\ you\.\ She\ was\ used\ by\ Satan\ to\ move\ Job\ off\ of\ the\ purpose\ for\ his\ life,\ like\ Peter\ was\ used\ by\ Satan\.\ When\ he\ confronted\ the\ Lord\ in\ Matthew\ chapter\ 16,\ the\ text\ that\ Tim\ read\ earlier\ this\ evening,\ when\ Christ\ would\ talk\ about\ how\ he\ was\ destined\ to\ live\ and\ to\ die\ and\ to\ rise\ again,\ and\ Peter\ confronted\ him\ about\ that,\ said,\ oh\ no,\ Lord,\ you're\ not\ going\ to\ do\ that\.

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And\ Christ\ said\ to\ him,\ get\ thee\ behind\ me,\ not\ Peter,\ but\ Satan\.\ Because\ even\ the\ great\ apostle\ Peter\ could\ be\ used\ by\ Satan\ in\ a\ way\ he\ didn't\ even\ know\ because\ he\ was\ trying\ to\ thwart\ the\ ultimate\ mission\ of\ the\ Messiah\.\ You\ see,\ when\ someone\ is\ used\ to\ thwart\ you\ from\ the\ mission\ that\ God's\ called\ you\ to\ accomplish\ for\ His\ purposes,\ they're\ very\ easily\ used\ by\ Satan\ to\ get\ you\ off\ track\.\ And\ these\ three\ men\ thought\ they\ were\ being\ used\ by\ God,\ but\ really\ they\ were\ just\ hindering\ Job\.\ They\ were\ miserable\ to\ him\.

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And\ they\ were\ being\ used\ by\ Satan\ because,\ you\ know,\ Satan's\ not\ omniscient,\ right\?\ Satan\ doesn't\ know\ what's\ going\ on\.\ His\ minions\ have\ to\ tell\ him\ what's\ happening\ because\ he\ doesn't\ have\ omniscience\.\ He's\ not\ omnipresent\.\ He's\ not\ everywhere\.\ Only\ God's\ omnipresent,\ right\?\ Satan\ can\ only\ be\ in\ one\ place\ at\ one\ time\.\ And\ so,\ he\ has\ to\ be\ informed\ as\ to\ what's\ happening,\ and\ yet\ these\ men\ unwittingly\ were\ being\ used\ by\ the\ adversary\ to\ move\ Job\ away\ from\ his\ progress\ towards\ godliness\.\ Even\ though\ he's\ an\ upright,\ God\-fearing\ man,\ turning\ away\ from\ evil,\ blameless\ man,\ they\ were\ coming\ against\ him\.

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And\ there's\ something\ about\ Job\ that\ would\ be\ so\ disappointing,\ that\ somehow\ these\ guys\ who\ were\ his\ friends,\ right\?\ They\ were\ his\ friends,\ could\ not\ come\ alongside\ and\ at\ least\ just\ sit\ with\ him\ and\ just\ pray\ with\ him\.\ They\ just\ had\ to\ figure\ out\ a\ way\ to\ explain\ to\ him\ why\ you\ are\ in\ this\ misery\.\ And\ the\ only\ thing\ they\ could\ figure\ out\ is\ that\ it\ must\ be\ because\ you're\ a\ sinner\.\ There\ is\ no\ other\ reason\ for\ this,\ but\ they\ have\ no\ idea\ about\ the\ purposes\ of\ God\.\ And\ so,\ Job\ calls\ them\ miserable\ comforters\.

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He\ says,\ is\ there\ no\ limit\ to\ windy\ words\ or\ what\ plagues\ you\ that\ you\ answer\?\ I\ too\ could\ speak\ like\ you\ if\ I\ were\ in\ your\ place\.\ I\ could\ compose\ words\ against\ you\ and\ shake\ my\ head\ at\ you\.\ I\ could\ do\ exactly\ what\ you\ guys\ are\ doing\.\ But\ listen\ to\ this,\ verse\ 5,\ I\ could\ strengthen\ you\ with\ my\ mouth\ and\ the\ solace\ of\ my\ lips\ could\ lessen\ your\ pain\.\ You\ know\ what\ I\ could\ do\?\ I\ could\ do\ what\ you\ do\ or\ I\ could\ truly\ soothe\ your\ pain\.\ Remember\ Proverbs\ 18,\ verse\ number\ 21,\ life\ and\ death\ are\ in\ the\ power\ of\ the\ tongue\.

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What\ has\ potential\ for\ good\ has\ an\ equal\ but\ opposite\ potential\ for\ evil\.\ Because\ life\ and\ death\ are\ in\ the\ power\ of\ the\ tongue\.\ And\ I\ can\ use\ my\ words\ to\ build\ you\ and\ encourage\ you\ and\ lift\ you\ or\ I\ can\ use\ my\ words\ to\ rip\ into\ you\ and\ tear\ you\ down\.\ And\ Job\ says,\ you\ know,\ if\ I\ was\ in\ your\ place,\ I\ could\ say\ exactly\ what\ you're\ saying,\ but\ you\ know\ what\?\ I\ wouldn't\ do\ that\.\ I\ would\ do\ it\ differently\ than\ you\ did\ it\.\ And\ how\ do\ we\ know\ he\ did\ that\?\ Because\ later\ in\ the\ book,\ you're\ going\ to\ read\ in\ Job\ chapter\ 28,\ I\ believe\ it\ is,\ I'm\ sorry,\ Job\ 29\.

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It\ says,\ these\ words\ in\ verse\ number\ 12,\ I\ delivered\ the\ poor\ who\ cried\ for\ help\ and\ the\ orphan\ who\ had\ no\ helper\.\ The\ blessing\ of\ the\ one\ ready\ to\ perish\ came\ upon\ me\ and\ I\ made\ the\ widow's\ heart\ sing\ for\ joy\.\ That's\ what\ Job\ did\.\ I\ put\ on\ righteousness\ and\ it\ clothed\ me\.\ My\ justice\ was\ like\ a\ robe\ and\ a\ turban\.\ I\ was\ eyes\ to\ the\ blind\ and\ feet\ to\ the\ lame\.\ I\ was\ a\ father\ to\ the\ needy\ and\ I\ investigated\ the\ case,\ which\ I\ did\ not\ know\.\ That's\ Job\.\ So\ we\ know\ that\ what\ he\ says\ is\ true\.\ If\ I\ had\ the\ opportunity,\ I\ would\ just\ do\ it\ so\ differently\ than\ you\ guys\ do\ it\.

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I\ would\ use\ my\ words\ to\ encourage\ you,\ to\ motivate\ you,\ to\ stimulate\ you,\ and\ he\ could\ probably\ even\ use\ his\ words\ to\ pray\ and\ ask\ God\ to\ do\ a\ great\ and\ mighty\ work\.\ Not\ these\ guys\.\ Nope,\ they\ weren't\ there\.\ So\ Job\ goes\ on\ from\ his\ disappointment\ to\ number\ two,\ his\ distress,\ verses\ 6\ to\ 14\.

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He\ says,\ if\ I\ speak,\ my\ pain\ is\ not\ lessened\ and\ if\ I\ hold\ back,\ what\ has\ left\ me\?\ In\ other\ words,\ if\ I'm\ silent\ or\ I\ speak,\ it\ makes\ no\ difference\.\ I'm\ still\ in\ pain\.\ I'm\ still\ in\ misery\.\ No\ matter\ what\ I\ do,\ nothing's\ coming\ back\ to\ me\.\ I've\ lost\ my\ children\.\ I've\ lost\ my\ source\ of\ income\.\ I've\ lost\ my\ house\.\ I've\ lost\ my\ health\.\ So\ whether\ I\ speak\ or\ I'm\ silent,\ nothing\ changes\.\ It's\ all\ the\ same\.\ Nothing's\ coming\ back\ to\ me\.\ So\ he\ says\ this,\ but\ now\ he\ has\ exhausted\ me\.\ Now\ think\ about\ this,\ 13\ times\ between\ verses\ 7\ and\ verse\ number\ 14,\ he\ attributes\ everything\ to\ God\.

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13\ times\ he\ says,\ he,\ it\ says,\ he\ exhausted\ me\.\ You\ laid\ waste\ all\ my\ company\.\ You\ shriveled\ me\ up\.\ His\ anger\ has\ torn\ me\.\ He\ has\ gnashed\ at\ me\.\ He\ is\ my\ adversary\.\ God\ hands\ me\ over\ to\ the\ ruffians\.\ He\ shattered\ me\.\ He\ has\ grasped\ me\.\ He\ has\ also\ set\ me\ up\ as\ a\ target\.\ It's\ his\ arrows\.\ He\ splits\.\ He\ pours\.\ He\ breaks\.\ He\ runs\.\ In\ other\ words,\ God's\ doing\ all\ this\.\ It's\ not\ that\ Job's\ complaining\.\ It's\ not\ like\ Job's\ blaming\ God\.\ Satan\ wants\ us\ to\ blame\ God\.\ He's\ not\ blaming\ God,\ but\ he's\ attributing\ everything\ to\ God\.

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That's\ very\ important\ to\ understand\.\ He's\ not\ blaming\ God\ for\ his\ condition,\ but\ he\ is\ attributing\ everything\ that's\ happened\ to\ him\ to\ God\.\ In\ other\ words,\ he\ is\ focused\ on\ the\ sovereignty\ of\ God\.\ What\ did\ he\ say\ to\ his\ wife\ in\ Job\ 2,\ verse\ number\ 10\?\ Should\ we\ accept\ good\ from\ God\ and\ not\ adversity\?\ So\ he's\ already\ made\ that\ statement\ earlier\ on,\ and\ so\ all\ he\ is\ doing\ is\ accepting\ the\ adversity\ that's\ come\ from\ God\.\ He\ said\ in\ chapter\ 13,\ verse\ number\ 15,\ talked\ about\ last\ week,\ though\ he\ slay\ me\ yet\ I\ will\ hope\ in\ him\.

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In\ other\ words,\ God\ can\ slay\ me\.\ In\ fact,\ he's\ in\ the\ process\ of\ slaying\ me\ as\ I\ speak,\ but\ I'm\ still\ going\ to\ hope\ in\ him\.\ The\ writer\ of\ Ecclesiastes,\ Solomon,\ said\ this,\ chapter\ 7,\ verse\ number\ 13,\ consider\ the\ work\ of\ God\ for\ who\ is\ able\ to\ straighten\ what\ he\ has\ bent\.\ In\ the\ day\ of\ prosperity,\ be\ happy,\ but\ in\ the\ day\ of\ adversity,\ consider,\ God\ has\ made\ the\ one\ as\ well\ as\ the\ other,\ so\ that\ man\ will\ not\ discover\ anything\ that\ will\ be\ after\ him\.\ Now,\ think\ about\ that\.\ God\ has\ made\ the\ one\ as\ well\ as\ the\ other\.

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What\?\ The\ day\ of\ prosperity\ and\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\.\ How\ would\ you\ explain\ that\ to\ the\ 11,000\ people\ that\ have\ lost\ their\ lives\ in\ Turkey\ and\ Syria\ because\ of\ the\ earthquake\ that\ happened\ this\ past\ week,\ or\ to\ their\ families,\ excuse\ me\?\ That\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\ and\ the\ day\ of\ prosperity,\ God\ has\ made\ one\ as\ well\ as\ the\ other,\ and\ why\ does\ he\ do\ that\?\ He\ said,\ you'll\ never\ know\ what's\ going\ on,\ so\ you're\ never\ in\ control\.\ See,\ man\ wants\ to\ be\ in\ control\ of\ everything\.\ He\ wants\ to\ be\ in\ control\ of\ his\ job,\ his\ family,\ his\ income,\ he\ wants\ to\ be\ in\ charge\ of\ his\ church,\ he\ wants\ to\ be\ in\ charge\ of\ everything\.

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And\ God\ just\ says,\ the\ day\ of\ adversity,\ I've\ created,\ the\ day\ of\ prosperity,\ hey,\ listen,\ be\ happy,\ but\ in\ the\ day\ of\ adversity,\ consider\ this,\ I\ made\ that\ one\ as\ well\.\ Why\ did\ I\ do\ that\?\ So\ you\ know\ you're\ never\ in\ control\ of\ anything,\ but\ I\ am,\ because\ He's\ sovereign\.\ So\ here\ is\ Job\ attributing\ his\ situation\ to\ God\.\ He\ is\ bowing\ in\ subjection\ to\ the\ sovereignty\ of\ God\.\ This\ is\ what\ God\ has\ done\.\ He\ has\ scorched\ me\.\ He\ has\ caused\ me\ to\ be\ wrinkled\.\ He\ has\ done\ this\.\ So\ he's\ saying\ that\ God\ is\ at\ work\.

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Now,\ it\ might\ not\ be\ the\ way\ he'd\ like\ God\ to\ be\ working\ at\ this\ time,\ but\ he\ is\ attributing\ everything\ to\ God,\ which,\ by\ the\ way,\ is\ one\ of\ the\ major\ steps\ in\ understanding\ how\ you\ deal\ with\ grief\ and\ distress\ and\ hardship\ and\ pain\ and\ suffering,\ is\ to\ realize\ that\ my\ God's\ in\ control\.\ He\ created\ the\ day\ of\ prosperity\ as\ well\ as\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\.\ So\ God\ is\ behind\ this\.\ Job\ just\ didn't\ understand\ how\ or\ why\.\ And\ then\ he\ says\ this,\ verse\ 7,\ but\ now\ He\ has\ exhausted\ me\.\ You\ have\ laid\ waste\ all\ my\ company\.

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Now\ most\ would\ believe\ that,\ as\ you\ read\ through\ the\ different\ commentaries\ on\ Job,\ that\ this\ is\ referring\ to\ his\ family\.\ He's\ laid\ waste\ his\ company\.\ In\ other\ words,\ they're\ no\ longer\ around\.\ They're\ not\ available\.\ I\ think\ it\ goes\ beyond\ that\ to\ even\ his\ own\ wife,\ right\?\ Remember,\ she's\ only\ on\ the\ scene\ once,\ and\ that's\ to\ say\ something\ to\ get\ him\ to\ curse\ God\.\ That's\ it\.\ It's\ the\ only\ time\ she\ speaks,\ first\ and\ last\ time\.

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But\ we\ forget\ that\ Job's\ wife\ lost\ everything\ just\ like\ Job\ did\.\ So\ before\ Job\ lost\ his\ health,\ she\ was\ looking\ for\ Job\ to\ curse\ God\ and\ die,\ and\ all\ that\ part\ and\ parcel,\ as\ he\ was\ losing\ his\ ability\ to\ function\ as\ a\ man\ because\ of\ all\ the\ turmoil\ that\ was\ ravaging\ his\ body\.\ She\ had\ the\ perfect\ opportunity\ to\ be\ the\ suitable\ helpmate\.\ You've\ heard\ it,\ for\ better\ or\ for\ worse\.\ This\ was\ the\ worst\.\ For\ richer\ or\ for\ poorer,\ this\ was\ the\ poorest,\ right\?\ In\ sickness\ and\ in\ health,\ this\ is\ the\ sick\ part\.

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And\ you\ know,\ when\ you\ think\ about\ Genesis\ 2,\ verse\ number\ 18,\ God\ looks\ around\ and\ He\ says,\ it's\ not\ good\ for\ man\ to\ be\ alone\.\ So\ I'm\ going\ to\ make\ him\ a\ suitable\ helper\.\ You\ know,\ when\ God\ joins\ you\ together,\ you\ ladies\ become\ the\ suitable\ helper\ to\ your\ husband\.\ But\ what\ happens\ when\ this\ protector,\ this\ provider\ for\ you,\ who\ has\ been\ there\ all\ your\ life\ now\ loses\ everything\ that\ you\ lose,\ but\ now\ he's\ lost\ his\ health\ and\ is\ incapable\ of\ doing\ anything\?\ Where\ is\ she\?\ When\ he\ needs\ her\ the\ most,\ she's\ not\ there\.

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She's\ not\ present\.\ She's\ absent,\ but\ she\ could\ be\ there\.\ So\ the\ encouragement\ to\ you,\ ladies,\ is\ to\ realize\ that\ no\ matter\ how\ strong\ your\ man\ might\ be,\ and\ I'm\ pretty\ sure\ that\ Job\ was\ a\ strong\ man\.\ He\ was\ a\ fit\ man\.\ He\ got\ things\ done\.\ He\ was\ the\ greatest\ man\ on\ the\ planet,\ according\ to\ God,\ but\ yet\ when\ he\ lost\ everything,\ including\ his\ own\ health,\ all\ he\ could\ do\ is\ sit\ in\ ash\ heap\ and\ scrape\ the\ boils\ that\ were\ oozing\ with\ pus\ day\ after\ day\ after\ day\.\ He\ got\ very\ little\ sleep\ because\ the\ pain\ was\ so\ severe,\ but\ his\ wife\ wasn't\ even\ there\ to\ touch\ him\ and\ to\ put\ her\ arms\ around\ him\ and\ to\ hold\ his\ hand\.

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When\ God\ gives\ you\ a\ man,\ and\ when\ he\ gives\ you\ a\ wife,\ he's\ given\ you\ the\ perfect\ helpmate,\ the\ suitable\ helper,\ and\ the\ time\ you\ needed\ the\ most,\ are\ you\ present\?\ Are\ you\ there\?\ Are\ you\ available\?\ We\ need\ to\ be\ there\ because\ when\ God\ puts\ two\ people\ together,\ he\ puts\ them\ together\ and\ makes\ them\ one\.\ One\ plus\ one\ is\ one\ in\ marriage\ only\.\ Everywhere\ else\ it's\ two,\ but\ not\ in\ marriage\.\ One\ plus\ one\ is\ one\.\ And\ Job\ says,\ you've\ exhausted\ me\.\ You\ laid\ waste\ my\ company\.\ Those\ closest\ to\ me,\ they're\ not\ here\.

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I'm\ all\ alone\.\ This\ is\ his\ distress\.\ You\ have\ shriveled\ me\ up\.\ Your\ anger\ has\ torn\ me,\ verse\ number\ 9,\ hunted\ me\ down\.\ You've\ gnashed\ at\ me\ with\ your\ teeth\.\ My\ adversary\ glares\ at\ me\.\ He\ sees\ God\ as\ his\ adversary\ because\ he's\ so\ against\ Job\ in\ Job's\ mind\.\ Now,\ remember,\ he's\ not\ complaining\ to\ God\.\ What\ he's\ doing\ is\ he's\ voicing\ that\ what's\ happening\ to\ him\ is\ under\ the\ control\ of\ God\.\ They,\ his\ three\ miserable\ comforters,\ have\ gaped\ at\ me\ with\ their\ mouth,\ verse\ 10\.\ They\ have\ slapped\ me\ on\ the\ cheek\ with\ contempt\.

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They\ have\ masked\ themselves\ against\ me\.\ God\ hands\ me\ over\ to\ ruffians\ and\ tosses\ me\ into\ the\ hands\ of\ the\ wicked\.\ Wow\.\ Now,\ listen\ to\ this\.\ This\ is\ so\ important\.\ I\ was\ at\ ease,\ but\ he\ shattered\ me\.\ Just\ circle\ that\ in\ your\ Bible\.\ I\ was\ at\ ease,\ but\ he\ shattered\ me\.\ You\ know,\ it\ was,\ I\ think\ it\ was\ Teddy\ Roosevelt\ who\ said,\ there's\ never\ been\ a\ man\ who\ lived\ a\ life\ of\ ease\ whose\ name\ is\ worth\ remembering\.\ Think\ about\ that\.\ Would\ we\ ever\ remember\ Job\ if\ he\ had\ not\ gone\ through\ the\ shattering\ experience\?

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We\ wouldn't\ even\ know\ he\ existed,\ right\?\ But\ because\ he\ went\ through\ the\ shattering\ experience,\ he\ goes,\ I\ was\ at\ ease\.\ That's\ not\ a\ negative\ thing\.\ Things\ are\ good\ for\ Job\.\ He\ was\ wealthy\.\ He\ was\ healthy\.\ His\ kids\ were\ great\.\ They\ were\ walking\ with\ the\ Lord\.\ He\ had\ a\ wife,\ good\ income\.\ Things\ were\ great\.\ All\ of\ a\ sudden,\ all\ gone\.\ Bang,\ gone\.\ In\ a\ moment,\ God\ shattered\ him\.\ Because\ God\ is\ learning\ or\ teaching\ Job\ how\ it\ is\ to\ truly\ trust\ and\ obey\ him\.\ Living\ a\ life\ of\ ease,\ everybody\ wants,\ but\ what\ we\ need\ is\ a\ shattering\.

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Job\ needed\ a\ shattering\.\ Now,\ he\ didn't\ want\ a\ shattering,\ but\ he\ got\ one\.\ And\ at\ the\ very\ end,\ he\ realizes\ the\ blessing\ of\ what\ God\ was\ doing,\ how\ God\ was\ shattering\ his\ independence\ from\ him\ to\ establish\ his\ dependence\ upon\ him\.\ More\ about\ that\ in\ a\ moment\.\ But\ you\ go\ on\ and\ you\ see\ that\ he\ shattered\ me,\ he\ grasped\ me,\ verse\ 12,\ he\ has\ also\ set\ me\ up\ as\ his\ target\.\ It's\ his\ arrows\.\ He\ splits\ my\ kidneys\ open\.\ He\ pours\ out\ my\ gall\ on\ the\ ground\.\ He\ breaks\ through\ me\ with\ breach\ after\ breach\.\ He\ runs\ at\ me\ like\ a\ warrior\.

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I'm\ at\ war\ here,\ and\ I'm\ being\ shred\ apart\ because\ God\ has\ made\ this\ my\ day\ of\ adversity\.\ This\ is\ his\ distress\.\ He\ is\ articulating\ his\ agony\ that\ the\ men\ who\ are\ of\ his\ comforter\ should\ hear\ and\ listen\ and\ figure\ out\ a\ way\ how\ they\ can\ better\ minister\ to\ him\ and\ serve\ him\ and\ come\ alongside\ of\ him,\ but\ that's\ just\ not\ that\ important\ to\ them\.\ So\ when\ you\ come\ to\ verse\ number\ 15,\ you\ move\ from\ Job's\ disappointment\ to\ Job's\ distress\ to\ Job's\ dependency\.\ I\ have\ sewed\ sackcloth\ over\ my\ skin\ and\ thrust\ my\ horn\ in\ the\ dust\.

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This\ is\ his\ humility\.\ I\ am\ humbled\ as\ to\ what\ God\ has\ done\.\ He\ says,\ my\ face\ is\ flushed\ with\ weeping\ and\ deep\ darkness\ is\ on\ my\ eyelids\.\ This\ is\ his\ agony\.\ He\ goes\ from\ his\ humility\ to\ his\ agony\ to\ his\ purity\.\ Although\ there\ is\ no\ violence\ in\ my\ hands\ and\ my\ prayer\ is\ pure,\ my\ prayer\ is\ pure\.\ O\ earth,\ do\ not\ cover\ my\ blood\ and\ let\ there\ be\ no\ resting\ place\ for\ my\ cry\.\ In\ other\ words,\ let\ there\ be\ nothing\ hidden\ in\ my\ life\.\ He\ speaks\ of\ his\ integrity,\ his\ purity,\ his\ agony,\ and\ his\ humility\ because\ he's\ thrown\ himself\ all\ in\ God\.

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Everything\ is,\ Lord,\ I\ have\ nothing\.\ So\ I\ need\ you\.\ And\ so\ he\ says,\ even\ now,\ behold,\ my\ witness\ is\ in\ heaven\ and\ my\ advocate\ is\ on\ high\.\ And\ he\ doesn't\ know\ Jesus,\ right\?\ He\ doesn't\ know\ about\ the\ mediator\ between\ God\ and\ man,\ the\ man\ Christ\ Jesus,\ right\?\ He\ doesn't\ understand\ those\ things,\ but\ he\ knows\ that\ there's\ an\ advocate\ in\ heaven\.\ You\ see,\ his\ dependency\ is\ seen\ by\ going\ to\ God\ and\ crying\ out\ to\ God\.\ So\ important\ for\ us\ to\ realize\ that\ when\ pain\ erupts\ in\ our\ lives,\ the\ very\ first\ place\ we\ need\ to\ go\ tells\ us\ a\ lot\ about\ what\ we\ depend\ upon\.

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And\ we\ need\ to\ be\ going\ to\ our\ knees\.\ We\ need\ to\ be\ dropping\ in\ humility\ amidst\ all\ of\ that\ agony\ with\ a\ pure\ and\ holy\ heart,\ crying\ out\ to\ God\ and\ saying,\ Lord,\ Lord,\ Lord,\ please\ intervene\.\ Please\ help\.\ Please\ work\.\ Look\ at\ the\ psalmist\ in\ Psalm\ 130,\ who\ says\ these\ words,\ Out\ of\ the\ depths\ I\ have\ cried\ to\ you,\ O\ Lord\.

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Lord,\ hear\ my\ voice\.\ Let\ your\ ears\ be\ attentive\ to\ the\ voice\ of\ my\ supplications\.\ That\ should\ be\ our\ cry\.\ If\ you,\ Lord,\ should\ mark\ iniquities,\ O\ Lord,\ who\ could\ stand\?\ Lord,\ thanks\ for\ not\ counting\ all\ my\ iniquities\.\ Thanks\ for\ not\ keeping\ a\ record\ of\ all\ my\ iniquities,\ because\ if\ you\ did,\ who\ would\ be\ able\ to\ stand\?\ But\ there\ is\ forgiveness\ with\ thee\ that\ thou\ mayest\ be\ feared\.\ I\ wait\ for\ the\ Lord\.\ My\ soul\ does\ wait\.\ And\ in\ His\ word\ do\ I\ hope\.\ My\ soul\ waits\ for\ the\ Lord\ more\ than\ the\ watchman\ for\ the\ morning\.

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Indeed,\ more\ than\ the\ watchman\ for\ the\ morning\.\ Why\?\ Because\ it's\ God's\ loving\ kindness\ that\ he\ needs\.\ So\ what\ does\ Job\ do\?\ He\ demonstrates\ his\ dependency\ by\ saying,\ Lord,\ my\ prayer\ is\ for\ you,\ is\ out\ to\ you\.\ It\ comes\ from\ a\ pure\ heart,\ a\ heart\ set\ upon\ God\.\ And\ then\ he\ says,\ my\ friends\ are\ my\ scoffers\.\ My\ eye\ weeps\ to\ God\.\ Oh,\ that\ man\ might\ plead\ with\ God\ as\ a\ man\ with\ his\ neighbor\.\ That's\ what\ he's\ asking\ for\.\ My\ friends\ are\ my\ scoffers,\ right\?\ They\ become\ my\ enemies\.\ They\ become\ my\ adversaries\.

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And\ yet,\ Lord,\ my\ prayer\ goes\ out\ to\ you\.\ This\ is\ Job's\ dependency\.\ Here's\ a\ man\ who\ has\ nothing\.\ He\ has\ no\ one\.\ You\ see,\ we\ forget\ this\.\ We\ so\ easily\ depend\ upon\ people\ around\ us\.\ We\ so\ easily\ depend\ upon\ others\ to\ come\ through\ for\ us\.\ But\ so\ many\ times\ they're\ unable\ to\ do\ so\.\ But\ God\ always\ is,\ always\ can\.\ He's\ always\ available\.\ He's\ always\ there\ for\ you\ to\ cry\ out\ to\ Him,\ call\ upon\ His\ name\.\ And\ that's\ what\ Job\ does\.\ And\ then\ when\ you\ come\ down\ to\ verse\ number\ 22,\ all\ the\ way\ down\ to\ chapter\ 17,\ verse\ number\ 16,\ this\ is\ Job's\ despondency\.

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Listen\ to\ this\.\ For\ when\ a\ few\ years\ have\ passed,\ I\ shall\ go\ the\ way\ of\ no\ return\.\ My\ spirit\ is\ broken\.\ My\ days\ are\ extinguished\.\ The\ grave\ is\ ready\ for\ me\.\ He's\ facing\ the\ jaws\ of\ death\.\ He's\ looking\ right\ into\ the\ grave\.\ He's\ at\ a\ point\ now\ where\ the\ suffering\ is\ so\ intense\.\ It's\ so\ great\.\ He\ knows\ that\ death\ is\ imminent\.\ It's\ there\.\ So\ he\ says,\ surely\ mockers\ are\ with\ me,\ and\ my\ eye\ gazes\ on\ their\ provocation\.\ Lay\ down\ now\ a\ pledge\ for\ me,\ speaking\ back\ to\ the\ Lord,\ with\ yourself\.\ Who\ was\ there\ that\ will\ be\ my\ guarantor\?

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For\ you\ have\ kept\ their\ heart\ from\ understanding\.\ Therefore,\ you\ will\ not\ exalt\ them\.\ Wow\.\ I\ wonder\ what\ they\ thought\ when\ they\ heard\ that\ one\.\ Lord,\ you\ have\ kept\ them\ from\ understanding\.\ You\ have\ blinded\ their\ hearts\ for\ them\ to\ understand\ me\.\ And\ you\ know\ what\?\ You're\ not\ going\ to\ exalt\ them\ either\.\ And\ guess\ what\?\ God\ doesn't\.\ I\ get\ to\ read\ Job\ 42\.\ God\ doesn't\ exalt\ them\.\ He\ can't\.\ But\ he\ does\ exalt\ Job\.\ He\ lifts\ Job,\ but\ not\ as\ miserable\ comforters\.\ Job\ was\ speaking\ prophetically,\ and\ then\ he\ says\ this\.

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He\ says,\ he\ who\ informs\ against\ friends\ for\ a\ share\ of\ the\ spoil,\ the\ eyes\ of\ his\ children\ also\ will\ anguish\.\ The\ effects\ of\ your\ judgment\ upon\ me\ is\ going\ to\ affect\ your\ children\.\ But\ he\ has\ made\ me\ a\ byword\ of\ the\ people,\ and\ I\ am\ one\ at\ whom\ men\ spit\.\ Think\ about\ that\.\ Job\ says,\ I\ am\ sitting\ here\ in\ this\ ash\ heap,\ and\ I\ am\ a\ disgrace\ to\ people\ around\ me\.\ People\ walk\ by\ and\ they\ spit\ at\ me\.\ My\ eye\ has\ also\ grown\ dim\ because\ of\ grief,\ and\ all\ my\ members\ are\ as\ a\ shadow\.\ The\ upright\ will\ be\ appalled\ at\ this,\ and\ the\ innocent\ will\ stir\ up\ himself\ against\ the\ godless\.

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Why\?\ Because\ their\ belief\ is\ very\ simple\.\ You\ are\ this\ way\ because\ you're\ wicked\.\ That's\ why\ they\ spit\ at\ him\.\ That's\ why\ they\ mock\ him\.\ That's\ why\ they\ scoff\ him\.\ Think\ about\ that\.\ Then\ he\ says,\ nevertheless,\ the\ righteous\ will\ hold\ to\ his\ way,\ and\ he\ who\ has\ clean\ hands\ will\ grow\ stronger\ and\ stronger\.\ Oh,\ how\ true\ that\ is\.\ Job\ was\ growing\ stronger\ and\ stronger\.\ Physically,\ he\ wasn't,\ but\ the\ inner\ man\ was\ being\ renewed\ day\ by\ day\ because\ he\ was\ a\ righteous\ man\.\ And\ just\ as\ the\ crisis\ reveals\ the\ true\ character\ of\ a\ man,\ so\ crisis\ builds\ courage\ in\ the\ heart\ of\ a\ man\.

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And\ that's\ exactly\ what's\ happening\ with\ Job\.\ The\ righteous\ will\ become\ more\ and\ more\ courageous\.\ He\ says\ in\ verse\ number\ 10,\ But\ come\ again,\ all\ of\ you\ now,\ for\ I\ do\ not\ find\ a\ wise\ man\ among\ you\.\ Not\ a\ wise\ man\ among\ you\.\ Sorry,\ guys\.\ You're\ all\ a\ bunch\ of\ idiots\.\ I\ wish\ you\ guys\ were\ smarter,\ but\ you're\ not\.\ He\ says,\ my\ days\ are\ past\.\ My\ plans\ are\ torn\ apart\.\ Even\ the\ wishes\ of\ my\ heart,\ every\ plan\ that\ I\ had,\ every\ aspiration\ I\ had\ for\ my\ children,\ gone\.\ Every\ aspiration\ for\ my\ future,\ gone\.\ Everything\ about\ my\ family,\ gone\.

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It's\ all\ been\ destroyed\.\ All\ my\ plans\ have\ been\ washed\ away\.\ He\ says,\ they\ make\ night\ into\ day,\ saying\ the\ light\ is\ near\ in\ the\ presence\ of\ darkness\.\ If\ I\ look\ to\ Sheol,\ the\ grave,\ as\ my\ home,\ I\ make\ my\ bed\ in\ the\ darkness\.\ If\ I\ call\ to\ the\ pit,\ you\ are\ my\ father\.\ To\ the\ worm,\ my\ mother\ and\ my\ sister\.\ In\ other\ words,\ he\ realizes\ that\ in\ the\ grave,\ these\ will\ be\ his\ friends\.\ Because\ he\ has\ no\ friends\.\ He\ says,\ where\ now\ is\ my\ hope\?\ And\ who\ regards\ my\ hope\?\ Not\ his\ hope\ in\ God\.\ His\ hope\ for\ recovery\.

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His\ hope\ for\ healing\.\ Because\ he's\ at\ the\ point\ where\ he\ says,\ you\ know\ what\?\ I'm\ at\ the\ end\.\ The\ grave\ is\ open\.\ Death\ is\ right\ around\ the\ corner\.\ And\ I'm\ ready\.\ Will\ it\ go\ down\ with\ me\ to\ Sheol\?\ Shall\ we\ together\ go\ down\ into\ the\ dust\?\ That's\ how\ he\ ends\.\ Great\ despondency\.\ Why\?\ The\ end\ is\ near\.\ That's\ how\ he\ sees\ it\.\ And\ you\ know,\ I'm\ not\ there\.\ I'm\ not\ Job\.\ I\ don't\ know\ how\ he's\ feeling\.\ Physically\.\ I\ can\ only\ imagine\.\ But\ emotionally,\ what's\ happening\ in\ his\ life\?\ The\ man\ is\ struggling\ greatly\.

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But\ I\ want\ you\ to\ notice\ four\ things\ that\ God\ is\ doing\ in\ Job's\ life\.\ That\ God\ wants\ to\ do\ in\ all\ of\ our\ lives\ through\ chapter\ 16\ and\ 17\.\ Very,\ very\ important\.\ See,\ Job\ is\.\.\.\ He\ can't\ read\ Job\ chapter\ 42\.\ No,\ he's\ living\ chapter\ 16\ and\ 17\ as\ we\ speak\.\ He\ can't\ see\ the\ future\.\ He\ doesn't\ know\ the\ future,\ right\?\ We\ know\ it\.\ So\ we\ say,\ Job,\ hang\ on\.\ You're\ going\ to\ make\ it\.\ It's\ going\ to\ be\ okay\.\ A\ few\ more\ days\ and\ it's\ going\ to\ be\ all\ right\.\ We\ know\ the\ end\.\ Job\ doesn't\ know\ the\ end\.\ In\ the\ midst\ of\ his\ pain,\ all\ he\ can\ see\ is\ death,\ agony,\ disappointment,\ distress,\ despondency\.

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That's\ all\ he\ sees\.\ Because\ he\ can't\ see\ tomorrow\.\ Why\?\ Because\ in\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\ which\ God\ has\ created,\ He\ creates\ it\ so\ man\ will\ not\ be\ in\ control\ of\ what\ happens\ tomorrow\ or\ the\ next\ day\ or\ his\ future\.\ And\ Job\ is\ completely\ out\ of\ control\.\ He's\ not\ controlling\ anything\.\ First\ of\ all,\ he\ has\ nothing\ to\ control\.

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It's\ all\ gone,\ right\?\ And\ he\ can't\ control\ his\ health\ because\ there's\ no\ medication,\ no\ medicine,\ no\ IV,\ nothing\ that\ he\ can\ put\ in\ the\ system\ that\ will\ help\ heal\ him\.\ He's\ in\ complete\ and\ total\ pain\.\ And\ so\ in\ the\ prison\ of\ his\ pain,\ in\ the\ darkness\ of\ his\ despair,\ he\ says\ some\ things\ that\ maybe\ if\ he\ could\ take\ them\ back,\ maybe\ he\ would\.\ But\ note\ this,\ our\ God\ understands\ the\ heart\ of\ Job\.\ And\ one\ author\ says\ this,\ that\ because\ God\ understands,\ He\ lovingly\ turns\ a\ deaf\ ear\ to\ our\ words,\ but\ a\ tender\ eye\ toward\ our\ wounds\.

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Isn't\ that\ good\?\ Turns\ a\ deaf\ ear\ to\ our\ words,\ but\ a\ tender\ eye\ toward\ our\ wounds\.\ God\ knows\ what's\ going\ on\.\ He\ knows\ your\ pain\.\ He's\ not\ an\ ogre\ upstairs\ that\ says,\ sometimes\ we\ think\ that's\ the\ way\ it\ is,\ but\ it's\ not\.\ God\ is\ so\ good\.\ And\ what\ God\ is\ doing\ in\ Job's\ life\ is\ exactly\ the\ thing\ He\ wants\ to\ do\ in\ your\ life\.\ And\ number\ one\ is\ this,\ He\ wants\ to\ redirect\ your\ dependency\.

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Job\ says,\ I\ was\ at\ ease\ and\ God\ shattered\ me\.\ You\ know,\ it's\ so\ easy\ for\ us\ to\ be\ dependent\ upon\ what\ we\ can\ see\.\ We\ become\ so\ dependent\ upon\ our\ education\ or\ our\ wit\ or\ our\ ability\ to\ do\ whatever\ it\ is\ we\ do,\ right\?\ We\ live\ the\ life\ of\ ease\ when\ our\ checking\ account\ is\ full,\ right\?\ We\ live\ a\ life\ of\ ease\.\ Things\ are\ good\.\ I\ can\ handle\ it\.\ I\ can\ do\ this,\ right\?\ But\ God\ is\ slowly\ redirecting\ Job's\u2026\ It's\ not\ that\ Job\ was\ dependent\ upon\ all\ the\ money\ he\ had,\ all\ the\ camels\ he\ had,\ all\ the\ servants\ he\ had,\ but\ God\ is\ always\ showing\ we\ must\ depend\ solely\ upon\ Him\ and\ nothing\ else\.

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And\ just\ when\ we\ think\ we\ are\ dependent\ upon\ God,\ God\ shows\ us\ that\ we're\ really\ not\ dependent\ upon\ Him\.\ Because\ how\ many\ of\ us\ really\ truly\ lean\ upon\ God\ for\ everything\?\ Do\ you\ lean\ upon\ God\ for\ your\ mortgage\ payment,\ your\ gas\ payment\?\ Do\ you\ lean\ upon\ God\ for\ your\ family,\ your\ husband,\ your\ wife\?\ Do\ you\ really\ trust\ Him\ and\ depend\ upon\ Him\ for\ everything\?\ God\ wants\ us\ to\ walk\ in\ the\ Spirit\ so\ we\ don't\ feel\ the\ lust\ of\ the\ flesh\.\ He\ wants\ us\ to\ lean\ completely\ upon\ Him,\ trust\ Him\ for\ everything\.

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We\ tend\ not\ to\.\ We\ trust\ Him\ for\ our\ salvation,\ right\?\ We\ trust\ Him\ to\ be\ saved\.\ We\ trust\ Him\ to\ forgive\ us\ our\ sins\.\ We\ trust\ Him\ to\ take\ us\ to\ heaven,\ but\ we\ can't\ trust\ Him\ for\ our\ job\.\ We\ can't\ trust\ Him\ for\ our\ family\.\ We\ can't\ trust\ Him\ for\ what's\ going\ to\ happen\ tomorrow\.\ We\ get\ saved\ and\ we\ live\ as\ practical\ atheists\ as\ if\ God\ doesn't\ even\ exist\.\ How\ do\ we\ know\ that\?\ We\ spend\ very\ little\ time\ in\ prayer,\ very\ little\ time\ in\ prayer,\ very\ little\ time\ on\ our\ knees\.\ If\ we\ were\ dependent\ upon\ God,\ we\ would\ pray\ without\ ceasing\.

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We'd\ be\ on\ our\ knees\.\ We'd\ be\ in\ our\ closets\.\ We'd\ be\ seeking\ the\ throne\ of\ grace\ day\ in\ and\ day\ out\.\ We'd\ be\ in\ the\ Word\ of\ God\ because\ we\ want\ to\ know\ more\ about\ the\ God\ we\ serve\.\ We'd\ be\ trusting\ Him\ every\ single\ day,\ leaning\ upon\ Him\ for\ everything\.\ But\ so\ many\ times\ we\ just\ go\ through\ the\ day\ as\ if\ He\ doesn't\ even\ exist\.\ We\ don't\ even\ offer\ up\ a\ prayer\.\ We\ just\ do\ what\ we\ do\.\ You\ know,\ life\ is\ less\ about\ action\ and\ more\ about\ reaction,\ right\?\ How\ we\ react\ to\ those\ things\ round\ about\ us\.\ Because\ so\ many\ times\ we\ crumble,\ we\ stumble,\ we\ fall\ apart\ when\ a\ crisis\ comes,\ but\ God\ wants\ us\ dependent\ upon\ Him\ for\ everything\.

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And\ God\ is\ slowly\ but\ surely\ redirecting\ Job\ toward\ Himself,\ totally,\ fully\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ in\ Psalm\ 20\ verse\ number\ 7,\ that\ some\ trust\ in\ chariots\ and\ some\ in\ horses,\ but\ we\ will\ trust\ in\ the\ name\ of\ the\ Lord\ our\ God\.

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They\ are\ brought\ down\ and\ fall,\ but\ we\ rise\ up\ and\ stand\ firm\.\ Who\ are\ the\ ones\ who\ rise\ up\ and\ stand\ firm\?\ The\ ones\ who\ trust\ only\ in\ God\.\ So\ when\ you\ talk\ about\ horses\ and\ chariots,\ you're\ talking\ about\ a\ man's\ army,\ a\ man's\ warrior\ capabilities,\ a\ man's\ ability\ to\ go\ into\ combat\ with\ security\ because\ he\ has\ all\ the\ horses\ and\ the\ chariots\ that\ he\ needs\.\ It's\ all\ about\ the\ man\-made\ things,\ and\ we\ trust\ in\ those\ things\.\ We\ trust\ in\ our\ car\ to\ get\ us\ to\ work\.\ We\ don't\ trust\ in\ the\ Lord\ to\ get\ us\ to\ work,\ just\ our\ car,\ right\?

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We\ trust\ in\ the\ material\ things\.\ And\ God\ says,\ I\ want\ you\ to\ trust\ in\ Me,\ because\ those\ who\ trust\ in\ chariots\ and\ horses,\ they're\ going\ to\ fall\.

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But\ those\ who\ trust\ in\ the\ name\ of\ the\ Lord\ their\ God,\ they're\ going\ to\ rise\ up,\ they're\ going\ to\ stand\ firm\.\ And\ God\ is\ slowly\ but\ surely\ redirecting\ Job's\ dependency\.\ And\ that's\ what\ happens\ in\ your\ life\.\ Next\ time\ you\ go\ through\ a\ hardship,\ next\ time\ you\ go\ through\ a\ pain,\ next\ time\ you\ go\ through\ times\ of\ great\ distress,\ know\ that\ God\ has\ created\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\ as\ well\.\ Why\?\ Because\ God\ is\ driving\ you\ to\ Himself\.\ Don't\ resist\ it\.\ We\ want\ to\ resist\ it\.\ We\ want\ to\ kick\ and\ scream\.\ Why\?\ No,\ not\ now\.

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God\ says,\ come,\ lean\ on\ Me,\ trust\ Me,\ wait\ on\ Me,\ and\ watch\ and\ see\ what\ I\ will\ do\.\ So\ as\ God\ is\ redirecting\ Job's\ dependency,\ the\ same\ He's\ doing\ for\ you\ and\ me\ when\ we\ go\ through\ adverse\ circumstances\ and\ painful\ experiences\.\ And\ number\ two,\ He's\ also\ revealing\ Job's\ spirituality\.

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Because\ in\ a\ time\ of\ crisis,\ the\ real\ spiritual\ nature\ either\ rises\ or\ falls\.\ And\ that's\ exactly\ what\ is\ happening\ in\ Job's\ life\.\ He's\ a\ man\ who\ trusts\ in\ his\ God,\ who\ works\ for\ his\ God\.\ Over\ in\ 1\ Peter\ chapter\ 1,\ Peter\ says\ these\ words,\ In\ this\ you\ greatly\ rejoice,\ even\ though\ now\ for\ a\ little\ while,\ if\ necessary,\ you\ have\ been\ distressed\ by\ various\ trials,\ so\ that\ the\ proof\ of\ your\ faith,\ being\ more\ precious\ than\ gold\ which\ is\ perishable,\ even\ though\ tested\ by\ fire,\ may\ be\ found\ to\ result\ in\ praise\ and\ glory\ and\ honor\ at\ the\ revelation\ of\ Jesus\ Christ\.

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And\ though\ you\ have\ not\ seen\ Him,\ you\ love\ Him,\ and\ though\ you\ do\ not\ see\ Him\ now,\ but\ believe\ in\ Him,\ you\ greatly\ rejoice\ with\ joy\ inexpressible\ and\ full\ of\ glory,\ obtaining\ as\ the\ outcome\ of\ your\ soul,\ of\ your\ faith,\ the\ salvation\ of\ your\ soul\.\ Peter\ says,\ I\ know\ you're\ suffering\.\ I\ know\ you're\ suffering\.\ I\ know\ your\ trial\ is\ very\ timely\ and\ very\ taxing,\ but\ know\ this,\ you\ rejoice\ with\ joy\ exceedingly\.\ About\ 17\ years\ ago,\ I\ was\ going\ through\ 1\ Peter,\ preaching\ through\ it,\ and\ the\ sermon,\ the\ title\ of\ the\ book\ was,\ Hope\ for\ Those\ Who\ Hurt,\ because\ Peter\ was\ addressing\ people\ who\ were\ suffering\.

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I\ mean,\ after\ all,\ they\ were\ being\ burned\ as\ torches\ in\ Nero's\ gardens,\ and\ they\ were\ being\ wrapped\ in\ pitch\ and\ thrown\u2026wrapped\ in\ animal\ skin\ and\ thrown\ to\ the\ lions\ and\ being\ shred\ apart,\ and\ all\ these\ Christians\ could\ hear\ the\ screams\ of\ all\ their\ loved\ ones\ at\ night\ as\ they\ were\ being\ burned,\ and\ the\ smell\ of\ flesh\ was\ everywhere\.\ And\ Peter\ says,\ in\ this\ you\ greatly\ rejoice\.\ And\ I\ was\ sharing\ this\ with\ this\ couple\ who\ came\ to\ me\ because\ they\ were\ having\ such\ difficulty\ in\ their\ family\.\ And\ so,\ I\ was\ reading\ through\ 1\ Peter\ chapter\ 1,\ and\ I\ read\ this\ to\ them\.

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I\ said,\ you\ know,\ the\ great\ thing\ about\ this\ is\ that\ you\ can\ learn\ to\ rejoice\ in\ the\ Lord\.\ And\ she\ looked\ at\ me\ and\ she\ says,\ how\ dare\ you\ say\ that\ to\ me\?\ I\ said,\ I\ didn't\ say\ it\ to\ you\.\ Jesus\ said\ it\ to\ you\.\ I\ didn't\ say\ it\.\ I'm\ just\ quoting\ it\.\ Don't\ shoot\ the\ messenger,\ you\ know\.\ She\ goes,\ how\ dare\ you\ say\ it\ to\ me\?\ You\ don't\ know\ what\ we've\ gone\ through\.\ I\ said,\ I\ really\ don't\.\ I\ have\ no\ idea\.\ The\ Lord\ does\.\ She\ was\ so\ angry\.\ She\ got\ up,\ knocked\ my\ chair\ over,\ ran\ out\ of\ my\ office,\ and\ never\ came\ back\ again\.

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Her\ husband\ was\ kind\ of\ left\ dumbfounded\.\ Of\ course,\ he\ didn't\ know\ what\ to\ do,\ so\ he\ followed\ his\ wife\ out\ and\ left\ the\ church\ as\ well\.\ Just\ because\ they\ were\ unwilling\ to\ understand\ that\ God\ was\ doing\ a\ great\ and\ mighty\ work\.\ And\ they\ were\ unwilling\ to\ bow\ in\ submission\ to\ His\ authority\.\ But\ you\ see,\ God\ was\ revealing\ their\ spiritual\ life\.\ That's\ what\ happens\.\ God\ reveals\ your\ spirituality\ in\ times\ of\ crisis\.\ And\ that's\ unfortunate\.\ Remember\ when\ Abraham\ was\ up\ on\ top\ of\ Mount\ Moriah\?\ And\ he\ was\ supposed\ to\ slay\ his\ only\ son\ of\ his\ love,\ Isaac\?

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As\ he\ began\ to\ tie\ him\ up\ and\ slay\ his\ son,\ the\ angel\ of\ the\ Lord\ stopped\ him\.\ And\ God\ said\ to\ him,\ now\ I\ know\ that\ you\ fear\ my\ name\.\ You\ mean\ to\ tell\ me\ God\ doesn't\ know\ something\?\ God\ didn't\ know\ that\ Abraham\ feared\ Him\?\ Oh\ no,\ God\ knew\.\ But\ Abraham\ had\ to\ know\ that\ He\ feared\ Him\.\ So\ important\.\ Over\ in\ the\ book\ of\ Deuteronomy,\ the\ eighth\ chapter,\ listen\ to\ what\ the\ Lord\ says\ to\ Israel\.\ You\ shall\ remember\ all\ the\ way\ which\ the\ Lord\ your\ God\ has\ led\ you\ in\ the\ wilderness\ these\ forty\ years\.\ Forty\ years\ in\ the\ wilderness\.

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Forty\ years\ traveling\ around\.\ Hot\ desert\.\ You\ ever\ been\ to\ Sinai\?\ Hot\ place\.\ Dirty\.\ Dusty\.\ Hot\.\ Cold\ at\ night\.\ Forty\ years\.\ That\ He\ might\ humble\ you,\ testing\ you\ to\ know\ what\ was\ in\ your\ heart\.\ God\ was\ testing\ you\.\ Did\ God\ not\ know\ what\ was\ in\ their\ heart\?\ Oh\ no,\ God\ knew\.\ They\ needed\ to\ know\ what\ their\ heart\ was\ like\.\ It\ just\ took\ them\ forty\ years\ to\ get\ to\ know\ their\ hearts\.\ See\?\ Remember\ Hezekiah\?\ Hezekiah\.\ More\ written\ about\ this\ king\ than\ any\ other\ king\ except\ for\ David\ and\ Solomon\.\ Hezekiah\.

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He\ was\ going\ to\ die\.\ So\ we\ asked\ for\ a\ little\ longer\ to\ live\.\ So\ Isaiah\ says,\ God\ gave\ you\ fifteen\ more\ years\.\ That's\ unfortunate\.\ But\ he\ got\ fifteen\ more\ years\.\ Because\ he\ would\ have\ a\ son\ in\ those\ last\ fifteen\ years\.\ The\ most\ wicked\ king\ in\ the\ history\ of\ Israel\.\ Manasseh\.\ If\ he\ would\ have\ died\ and\ not\ lived,\ no\ Manasseh\.\ But\ he\ asked\ for\ more\ time\ to\ live\ and\ God\ granted\ it\ to\ him\.\ The\ Bible\ says\ these\ words\ in\ 2\ Chronicles\ 32\ verse\ number\ 31\.

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It\ says,\ Even\ the\ matter\ of\ the\ envoys\ of\ the\ rulers\ of\ Babylon\ who\ sent\ to\ him\ to\ inquire\ of\ the\ wonder\ that\ had\ happened\ in\ the\ land,\ God\ left\ him\ alone\ only\ to\ test\ him\ that\ he\ might\ know\ all\ that\ was\ in\ his\ heart\.\ God\ tested\ Hezekiah\.\ Because\ Hezekiah\ needed\ to\ know\ how\ depraved\ his\ heart\ really\ was\.\ Because\ he\ would\ begin\ to\ swell\ up\ with\ pride\ of\ all\ the\ things\ that\ had\ happened\.\ And\ God\ tested\ him\.\ Not\ because\ God\ didn't\ know\.\ God\ knows\.\ But\ you\ didn't\ know\.\ So\ you\ go\ through\ these\ adverse\ circumstances\.

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You\ see,\ God\ is\ in\ the\ process\ of\ revealing\ your\ spirituality\.\ You\ need\ to\ understand\ this\.\ I've\ shared\ this\ with\ you\ before,\ but\ I\ thought\ it\ would\ be\ advantageous\ to\ share\ it\ with\ you\ again\.\ Ernest\ Hemingway\ was\ wounded\ in\ the\ First\ World\ War\.

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And\ author\ Ben\ Patterson\ tells\ us\ that\ the\ doctors\ picked\ 237\ pieces\ of\ shrapnel\ out\ of\ his\ body\.\ As\ might\ be\ expected,\ he\ never\ forgot\ that\ experience\.\ But\ it\ was\ not\ so\ much\ the\ memory\ of\ the\ pain\ that\ stayed\ with\ him,\ it\ was\ how\ close\ he\ had\ come\ to\ death\.\ He\ felt\ that\ it\ set\ him\ apart\ from\ the\ rest\ of\ the\ human\ race\ for\ the\ remainder\ of\ his\ life\.\ He\ recalled\ that\ the\ men\ who\ shared\ the\ experience\ with\ him\ in\ the\ convalescent\ hospital,\ some\ of\ them\ with\ faces\ reconstructed,\ iridescent\ and\ shiny\ from\ the\ work\ of\ the\ plastic\ surgeons,\ they\ too\ were\ set\ apart\ by\ their\ brush\ with\ death\.

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They\ too\ were\ suspicious\ of\ anyone\ who\ had\ not\ had\ the\ same\ shattering\ encounter\.\ Other\ people\ seemed\ trivial\ and\ shallow\ by\ comparison\.\ From\ this,\ Hemingway\ derived\ a\ formula\ for\ his\ novels\.\ Put\ a\ good\ man\ into\ a\ situation\ where\ he\ comes\ face\ to\ face\ with\ death,\ in\ the\ arena\ fighting\ the\ bull\ or\ in\ combat,\ then\ you\ will\ see\ him\ in\ his\ truest\ and\ deepest\ dimensions\.\ You\ will\ find\ out\ just\ how\ good\ he\ really\ is\.\ The\ trial\ will\ not\ make\ or\ break\ him,\ but\ the\ trial\ will\ reveal\ him\.\ How\ true\ he\ was\.\ The\ trial\ reveals\ you,\ reveals\ the\ condition\ of\ your\ soul\.

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And\ what\ is\ happening\ is\ that\ God\ is\ revealing\ the\ condition\ of\ Job's\ soul,\ so\ he\ knows\ where\ he's\ at\.\ So\ as\ God\ is\ redirecting\ his\ dependency,\ as\ God\ is\ revealing\ his\ spirituality,\ God\ is\ also\ reestablishing\ his\ humility\.\ His\ humility\.\ His\ dependence\ upon\ God,\ but\ his\ humility\ before\ his\ God\.\ That's\ what\ suffering\ does\.\ It\ humbles\ us\.\ Remember\ 2\ Corinthians\ 12,\ we\ talked\ about\ Paul's\ thorn\ in\ the\ flesh\?\ We\ read\ that\ and\ we\ think\ that\ a\ thorn\ is\ like\ a\ little\ briar\ that\ we\ get\ when\ we\ prick\ our\ finger\ on\ a\ thorn\ bush,\ right\?

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That's\ a\ thorn\ in\ his\ side\.\ No,\ no,\ no,\ no\.\ The\ translation\ is\ stake\.\ A\ stake\ driven\ into\ his\ flesh\.\ A\ stake\ driven\ into\ his\ side\.\ Not\ just\ a\ little\ prick,\ but\ something\ that\ was\ just\ jammed\ in\ there\.\ That\ was\ given\ to\ him\ as\ a\ messenger\ of\ Satan\ to\ buffet\ him\.\ Why\?\ Why\?\ He\ says,\ so\ that\ I\ will\ not\ exalt\ myself\.\ Could\ it\ be\ that\ Paul\ had\ a\ problem\ with\ pride\?\ And\ he\ asked\ three\ times,\ Lord,\ remove\ the\ stake\.\ Remove\ it\.\ Get\ it\ out\ of\ my\ body\.\ I\ need\ to\ have\ relief\.\ And\ the\ Lord\ said,\ no,\ not\ going\ to\ do\ it\.

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And\ he\ knew\ it\ remained\ because\ it\ would\ keep\ him\ from\ exalting\ himself\.\ Here\ was\ a\ man\ who\ was\ clad\ up\ in\ the\ third\ heaven,\ had\ all\ these\ visions\.

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God\ had\ spoken\ to\ him\ face\ to\ face,\ came\ face\ to\ face\ with\ the\ living\ God\ on\ the\ road\ to\ Damascus,\ writing\ all\ these\ epistles\.\ God\ kept\ the\ mumble\.\ Why\?\ Because\ that's\ what\ he\ needed\.\ Like\ Job,\ his\ humility\ reestablished\.\ You\ see,\ when\ you\ come\ to\ Christ,\ you\ got\ to\ be\ humble,\ right\?\ God,\ be\ merciful\ unto\ me,\ a\ sinner\.\ Blessed\ are\ the\ poor\ in\ spirit,\ for\ theirs\ is\ the\ kingdom\ of\ heaven\.\ Those\ who\ have\ broken\ over\ to\ sin\.\ That's\ a\ humble\ person\.\ You\ don't\ come\ to\ Christ\ because\ of\ your\ arrogance\ and\ your\ pride\ and\ that\ you're\ great\ and\ God\ needs\ you\ in\ His\ kingdom\ and\ that\ you\ can\ do\ all\ kinds\ of\ things\ wonderful\ for\ God\ in\ His\ kingdom\.

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So\ here\ I\ am,\ Lord\.\ Use\ me\.\ I'm\ yours\.\ No,\ you\ come\ broken\ over\ your\ sin\.\ You\ say,\ Lord,\ be\ merciful\ unto\ me,\ a\ sinner\.\ And\ God\ saves\ us\.\ But\ sometimes\ we\ can\ get\ a\ little\ full\ of\ ourselves\.\ So\ God\ has\ to\ reestablish\ that\ humility\.\ How\ does\ He\ do\ that\?\ The\ shattering\ process,\ the\ suffering\ process,\ the\ breaking\ process,\ like\ He\ did\ with\ Job\.\ I\ don't\ think\ Job\ was\ an\ arrogant\ man\.\ I\ mean,\ I\ would\ hope\ not\.\ But\ even\ though\ he\ was\ the\ greatest\ man\ on\ the\ planet,\ greatest\ man\ in\ the\ East,\ nobody\ greater\ than\ Job,\ but\ God\ reestablishes\ humility\.

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And\ lastly,\ lastly,\ Job\ had\ to\ recognize\ God's\ sovereignty\.\ Did\ he\?\ Yes,\ he\ did\.\ But\ he\ had\ to\ not\ just\ to\ recognize\ it\ visually\.\ He\ had\ to\ recognize\ it\ inwardly,\ his\ heart\.\ And\ that's\ why\ he\ cries\ out\.\ He\ has\ gnashed\ me\.\ He\ has\ come\ against\ me\.\ He\ has\ fought\ and\ fought\ against\ me\ as\ a\ warrior\.\ It's\ He\ who\ is\ my\ adversary\.\ Because\ he\ recognized\ that\ in\ the\ day\ of\ adversity,\ God\ created\ that\ day\.\ And\ he\ humbly\ submit\ to\ it\.\ How\ about\ you\?\ Next\ time\ you\ go\ through\ those\ stressful\ times,\ painful\ times,\ lonely\ times,\ those\ times\ of\ suffering\ and\ pain,\ God's\ doing\ something\.

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He's\ going\ to\ reestablish\ your\ dependency\ upon\ Him\.\ He's\ going\ to\ make\ sure\ that\ He\ redirects\ everything\ in\ your\ life\ that\ you\ might\ lean\ completely\ upon\ Him\.\ He\ wants\ to\ reestablish\ your\ humility\.\ He\ wants\ you\ to\ be\ humble\ before\ Him\.\ God\ resists\ the\ proud\.\ He\ gives\ grace\ to\ the\ humble\.\ So,\ when\ you\ go\ through\ a\ time\ of\ suffering\ and\ you\ find\ no\ relief,\ ask\ yourself,\ am\ I\ prideful\?\ Am\ I\ arrogant\?\ Because\ God\ resists\ the\ proud,\ but\ He\ does\ give\ grace\ to\ the\ humble\.\ So,\ you\ ask\ yourself,\ am\ I\ humble\?

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Am\ I\ bound\ in\ submission\ to\ my\ God\?\ Humbly\ seeking\ His\ face\.\ God\ wants\ you\ to\ recognize\ His\ sovereignty\ in\ the\ day\ of\ adversity\.\ God\ is\ always\ at\ work\.\ He's\ never\ not\ at\ work\ in\ your\ life\.\ That's\ how\ much\ He\ loves\ you\.\ Let's\ pray\ together\.\ Father,\ thank\ You\ for\ tonight\.\ A\ chance\ to\ briefly\ look\ into\ the\ Word\ of\ the\ Lord\.\ None\ of\ us\ can\ really\ begin\ to\ understand\ the\ agony\ of\ Job\.\ But\ we\ marvel\ at\ the\ man's\ composure\ amidst\ that\ pain\ and\ agony\.\ How\ can\ you\ ever\ muster\ up\ a\ sentence,\ let\ alone\ two\ chapters\ worth\?

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But\ He\ does\.\ We\ know,\ Lord,\ what\ You're\ going\ to\ do\ in\ His\ life\ at\ the\ end\.\ We're\ just\ saying,\ Job,\ just\ hang\ in\ there\.\ You're\ going\ to\ make\ it\.\ It's\ going\ to\ happen\.\ Wait\.\ Just\ wait\.\ And,\ Lord,\ none\ of\ us\ knows\ the\ end\ of\ our\ life\ either\.\ We\ don't\ know\ what\ God's\ going\ to\ do\ tomorrow,\ next\ week,\ next\ month\.\ Next\ year\.\ We\ have\ no\ idea\.\ We\ think\ we\ know,\ but\ we\ don't\.\ Only\ You\ know\ that\.\ Help\ us\ to\ trust\ You,\ hope\ in\ You\ only\.\ And\ just\ wait\ for\ You\ to\ show\ us\ who\ You\ are\ and\ what\ You're\ going\ to\ do\.

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We\ pray\ in\ Your\ name\.\ Amen\.

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