Passing the Test

Well we have gone with Job through his preparation for the test, His Participation in the test, we have looked at our Participation of the test. Promises of how we can pass the test. Today I want to look in on Job when he receives his graded test back.

Read Job 42:7-17

I wonder now if you came to Job who is no longer the one in the ash heap trying to eek out his living, but now who is again wealthy and prosperous and his friends have made amends, if you could come up to him and say, "Job was it worth it?" I wonder what he would say? I know it was hard, I know it was the worst thing he ever went through but when the "Lord turns the captivity" he restored Job he received and A+ for his test.

You might ask Job, "Why do you think you had to suffer all of this?" He probably wouldn't be able to answer but maybe he might start singing that old hymn,

I can almost hear a voice cracked from his time of ill health he might not have been able to stand up as tall or square his shoulders like he used to, "Suffering will leave it's mark" but I still can almost hear him sing,

1

Not now, but in the coming years,

It may be when with Christ we stand,

We’ll read the meaning of our tears,

And there, sometime, we’ll understand.

Then trust in God through all thy days;

Fear not, for He doth hold thy hand;

Though dark thy way, still sing and praise,

Sometime, sometime, we’ll understand.

2

We’ll catch the broken thread again,

And finish what we here began;

God will the mysteries explain,

And then, ah, then, we’ll understand.

3

We’ll know why clouds instead of sun

Were over many a cherished plan;

Why song has ceased when scarce begun;

’Tis then, sometime, we’ll understand.

4

Why what we long for most of all,

Eludes so oft our eager hand;

Why hopes are crushed and castles fall,

Till then, sometime, we’ll understand.

5

God knows the way, He holds the key,

He guides us with unerring hand;

Sometime with tearless eyes we’ll see;

Yes, then, ’tis then, we’ll understand.

Suffer to help others

2 Corinthians 1:3-6 (KJV)

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;

4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.

5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.

6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation.

I've told so many stories all throughout this series on suffering of people who suffered but we benefit from it. God comforts us in our tribulation so we can comfort others. There are ten basic words for suffering in the Greek language, and Paul used five of them in this letter. The most frequently used word is thlipsis, which means "narrow, confined, under pressure," and in this letter is translated affliction (2 Cor. 2:4; 4:17), tribulation (2 Cor. 1:4), and trouble (2 Cor. 1:4, 8). Paul felt hemmed in by difficult circumstances, and the only way he could look was up.

Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Encouraged (2 Corinthians), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 629.

There are some sufferings that we endure simply because we are human and subject to pain; but there are other sufferings that come because we are God's people and want to serve Him.

Warren Wiersbe, Bible Exposition Commentary – Be Encouraged (2 Corinthians), (Colorado Springs, CO: Victor, 2003), WORDsearch CROSS e-book, 629.

God Always Comes Through Mary and Martha claiming Jesus was four days late. Hudson Taylor, pioneer missionary to China, was deeply distressed by many burdens that weighed him down. As he prayed for strength to carry on his ministry, Psalm 55:22 suddenly came to his mind: "Cast your burden on the Lord, and He shall sustain you."

Springing to his feet, he cried, "This fear-allaying truth has evaded me too long! I see it all now. If we are obeying the Lord and still run into difficulty, the heavy responsibility rests with Him, not with us!" Then he prayed, "Lord, You shall have all the burden! At Your bidding I will go forward, leaving the results with You." With lightened heart, Hudson Taylor went on to establish a great work in China.

What ever your need this morning - loneliness, finiancial problems, family issues, stress, health problems I want you to know you can HOLD FAST you can HOLD ON GOD's Got this.

As Bro. Gerald Glick wrote a few years ago GOD ALWAYS COMES THROUGH. God always proves true Things may seem to be impossible there's nothing else you can do Just remember our God always comes through.

It is Worth It

I can't answer all the whys and questions either but I can say along with the Apostle Paul in

Romans 8:18-22 (KJV)

18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

19 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

20 For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21 Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22 For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

And I don't think he was being trite or making lite of our sufferings and heartaches and trials when he said, weight

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

I am reminded of a story I heard several years ago,

A baby was born to slave parents, because the parents were slaves the baby was a slave. This little black baby never knew anything other than getting up and being in the fields before sun up and watching his parents work all day until after sun down. And because he grew up on a plantation where the whip was used viciously used. From his earliest remembrance all he could remember was hearing the sound of that whip cutting thru the air and then slicing thru someone’s flesh.

When this little boy who’s name was Charlie was five years of age, his mother did something that angered one of the plantation bosses, no one even knew what it was. But in his presence a man took a whip and started administering a cruel beating to his mother. Charlie went over and held his mom’s head in his arms and within the hour she died. I wonder how you’d feel if someone whipped your mother to death in your presence and you held her head while she left this life

The next morning the plantation master was so angry that the woman would die that in vengeance he took the boys father and sold him and the boy never saw his dad again Your five years old and in one day your mother is beat to death in your presence and your father is sold for vengeance never ever to cross your path again

This young boy had some talent and ability and on this plantation they forbid him to get any schooling or they forbid him to go to church. So up until age 15 all he did was work 7 days a week. At age 15 he could not read in English one word and he’d never been to church in his life His back is carved with scars from the bottom of his heels and the back of his head is beaten so severely that hair will not grow there. At age 15 he is freed by the war between states. He still works in the fields but at night for the first time he’s 15 and he’s free. So they say to Charlie, what do you want to do, he says, “I want to go to church” He walked 12 miles one way went to a church and there he heard something he couldn’t imagine. The preacher stood up and said, “There’s someone who loves you” Charlie said, “There’s no one that loves me.” That preacher said your wrong, “He loves you so much He died in your place. Charlie the first time he’s in church hears the good news and trust Christ’s as his savior. After they prayed with him one of them said do you have a bible we want to give you a bible. He said it won’t do any good I can’t read. Thank God for the ladies in the church they taught him to read so he could read his bible. "

It was that young man who some years later, must not have fully understood all the injustice he endured but could stand and sing his song, "We'll Understand it better by and By"

A man who faced a lot of hurt in his life, a lot of brokenness and pain, but could through it all get up on Sunday morning and tell the world how he made it through, just ,"Take your burdens to the Lord and leave it there."

No doubt he thought about his Momma and Daddy when he penned those words, "What are they doing in heaven today, where sickness and sorrow have all passed away."

But he really understood how serious it would be to live without God when he wrote,

"Harder yet may be the fight, Right may often yield to might, Wickedness awhile may reign, Satan's cause may seem to gain,

But there is a God who rules above with hand of power and heart of love And if I'm right he'll fight my battle I shall have peace someday. "

Again I don't think he was being trite or making lite of our sufferings and heartaches and trials when he said, weight

2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (KJV)

17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;

18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.

This was written by a man who just a few years earlier had stood and watched as they dragged a young man named Stephen away from the table as he was handing out food. Took him out by the gates and begin throwing stones at him one after another. I doubt they were little pebbles and I doubt they were thrown at random. This was an effective form of execution. He watched no doubt in silence as Stephen's face begin to glow as he looked around at the crowd and said a few words but then his eyes begin to gaze beyond them. Began to look upward to heaven. He was in pain he was dying but he was shining and he was smiling. He heard him say as the last breath was leaving his body, "I see Jesus standing at the Father's right hand." Do you know that is the only time in scripture that I can find after the ascension that Jesus is standing. Hebrews tells us he is seated at the right hand of the Father. But for one moment as Stephen's life was leaving his body he had to stand to his feet. He couldn't keep his seat. He welcomed old Stephen Home the first martyr of the church.

I wonder if we could listen in on that conversation after Jesus and Stephen hugged one another and Stephen heard those words Welcome thou good and faithful servant enter into the joys of our Lord. If Jesus didn't just lean over and say Stephen Was it worth it? Oh my it will be worth it! I promise it's going to be worth it all.

Now Paul was facing some things. He says in one place

2 Corinthians 4:8-9 (KJV)

8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;

or another place

2 Corinthians 1:7-8 (KJV)

7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be also of the consolation.

8 For we would not, brethren, have you ignorant of our trouble which came to us in Asia, that we were pressed out of measure, above strength, insomuch that we despaired even of life:

Paul wasn't making a flippant remark about suffering, Paul just knew that one day, when he made it home, it would be alright. Just one look at His dear face, All SORROWS Will ERASE.

These things are only temporary and they work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

That means above and beyond, that means more than we can imagine or think, that means more than what mere mortals can comprehend and understand.

I just imagine old Paul in his cell when one day the executioner came they took him out to the chopping block, laid his head on it, Paul prayed his last earthly prayer, sang a hymn and the blade came down and the great apostles head rolled off the guillotine and thudded to the ground, while his bruised and battered body slumped lifeless to the ground. I don't know if Jesus stood to his feet to welcome Paul home, but I am sure if we could have been there and said Paul was it worth it? The beatings, the stoning's, the preaching, all of it was it worth it.? I know there is not supposed to be tears in Heaven but I just imagine old Paul weeping as he says, I'm home, I'm really home, oh it's more than worth it I'd go through it a millions times to be here. It's worth it.

This morning I know your suffering is real, I know the suffering of your loved ones are real, but hold on, it's gonna be worth it. It's gonna be worth it.

I want you to know this morning Old Job must have felt pretty good when his test came back with an A+ Old Stephen and Paul passed with flying colors, now its up to us. Let's hold on, lets keep going on. It's not the one who runs the swiftest, it's not the strongest, its not the most talented, but the one who endures to the end that will be saved.

Some time ago my wife and I were facing a battle, it wasn't a marital battle, but to be honest I don't even remember exactly what the struggle was. I believe it had to do with finances7. I sat down at the piano and the Lord gave me this song, I don't usually sing at a Bible study, but I want to leave you with this little truth, that no matter what test you face, God is still God.

It's based on the story of the little widow of Zarephath from 1 Kings 17:8-16 who was out one day gathering sticks to cook the last meal for her and her son and then they would die. but Elijah came by, and changed everything. They were looking at the bottom of the barrel giving up, they forgot that God is still God even at the bottom of the barrel. Just listen to these words.

Just a little bit of flour was all that she had left Just enough for one last meal and then they would be dead

But when she looked in again she saw this miracle

Elijah's God was still God at the bottom of the barrel

If you're scrapping the bottom and you're well's gone dry

The cupboards are empty and you think you are going to die

Friend let me remind you when things aren't going well My God is still God at the bottom of the barrel

God is still God even when the brook goes dry God is still God when you think you're going to die

And when it seems that you've gone your last weary mile

I know God is still God at the bottom of the barrel.