Standing Strong in the Storm: The Fall of Self

Bible Passage: Job 1

Now that we are back from camp and have seen the movement of God in our youth group. We know that the Lord is blessing our youth group and reviving his lost sheep. As we are in this time of growth we are going to face hardship and we are going to be tested. That is inevitable. It is very likely that the 17 students that were saved are going to struggle. So over the next few weeks we are going to study the book of Job. We are going to see what true faith looks like. Faith that surpasses understanding. Because if we went through just the hardship we will see in Job 1 then we would likely give Satan what he wants. We would follow in the footsteps of Judas and turn from God. Job is a great example of steadfastness and God’s sovereignty. Lets stand as we read God’s holy infallible word.

1. Cultivate Character

Job 1:1–5 ESV

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

As we see here in the opening chapter of Job that he was a very wealthy man. Who all has seen Yellowstone? The Duttons have quite a bit of land and livestock and ranch hands. If Job had as much land and animals as is listed here then he would be up there in the Forbes top 100. His net worth would be roughly equivalent to 272.5 million dollars. It is easy to say that he was blessed. He was a wealthy man and likely had a good reputation. People knew who Job was. If you were in his place would you live for God? CHances are you would probably just do what you want to. You could just go and buy anything you wanted. Switch 2 comes out Ill go get some for me and my friends. Tire on my truck worn down? Just buy a new truck. Someone stepped on my boots? Ill just go replace em. Job could’ve had that mentality but he didn’t. His kids did for sure we see that they would party all the time on dad’s dime. Job had such reverence for God that after their parties he would go pray for them and offer a sacrifice for their sins they likely commited while partying. Job sacrificed his own possessions and wealth for other. He knew that it wasn’t his everything that he owned truly belonged to God.

2. Comprehend God's Control

Job 1:6–12 ESV

6 Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. 7 The Lord said to Satan, “From where have you come?” Satan answered the Lord and said, “From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking up and down on it.” 8 And 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, who fears God and turns away from evil?” 9 Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.

All of the sons of God came before him in the heavenly realm including satan. These verses show us that even satan answers to God. He can’t do anything to us except tempt us. He is here on the Earth trying to lead us astray. The Lord knew of how faithful Job was. He knew that Job would still have reverence to him and faith in him. He knew what would happen if Satan tormented Job so he let him. The only rule for satan was that he not kill Job. God said Job thats my guy, no matter what you do he would never turn from me. No matter what you take from him he will never turn his eyes away from me. Satan said lets just see about that.

3. Confront Calamity

Job 1:13–19 ESV

13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

How many of you have lost family members that you were super close to? When they passed did you blame God? Many of you have gone through some terrible things that may make you think God where are you? Why do I deserve this? If you love me why are you doing this to me? There are many times in our lives when we are tested. You cant have a testimony without a test. And gosh how was Job tested? All of his livestock gone in one day and even worse all of his sons and daughters gone at the same time. Some days it feels like bad news after bad news after bad news. But our worst days are still likely not to compare to the day that Job just had. All of Jobs world gone in one day. If you lost everything like that everyone in here would for sure blame God. Bad things happen everyday and how we answer is whats important. God knew that Job wouldn’t turn from him in the worst days of all his life. And were about to see his reaction to the start of Satan’s attacks.

4. Celebrate Amidst Crisis

Job 1:20–22 ESV

20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

When we experience life shaking experiences it is important to mourn. If we bottle everything up then we are not doing ourselves a favor. This is exactly what Job did. As this news came rolling in I’m sure Job dropped to his knees and wept. But never once did he blame God. He tore off all his clothes and took a razor to his head. Everything was stripped from him So may as well do the same with his clothes and hair. He knew that everything he had had been taken back to God. He knew that everything was God’s not his anyway. When Job fell that day he didn’t curse God. He Praised God. He thanked God for the time that he had all that he did. He knew God was sovereign and in control. So much of the time we face a minor inconvenience and its the worst day of our lives and God has left us. But everything we go through we go through to honor God later for. There is nothing that we are going through that God cant take us out of and we will see that over the next couple weeks. If there is someone in here that has some unfinished business from camp and is blaming God for something in their life tonight is the night to let it go. Seek him through your storms.