One evening, just before midnight, an automobile slammed into the side of our house. I woke up to what sounded like an explosion, but then I heard the muffled noise of a car radio and the squealing of tires as the driver fled the scene.
Satan tried to dismantle Job’s relationship with God (Job 1:9) by afflicting him with a series of “hit-and-run” problems—serious and sudden troubles with devastating results. The devil used natural disasters, violent attacks, and illness to try to turn Job against his Maker (Job 1:13-19, 2:3-7).
Job didn’t submit to Satan’s tactics, although he did struggle to stay close to God. During the time of testing, his friend Eliphaz advised: “I would go to God and present my case to Him” (Job 5:8). Eliphaz was earnestly urging Job to hash things out with his Creator—to express the fear, anger, and confusion.
Eliphaz reminded Job that God “protects those who suffer” (Job 5:11). This truth can prevent us from blaming God and turning away from Him when we need Him the most. While God sometimes allows peril to plague us, He never abandons us in our distress (Psalm 23:4).
Eliphaz was a fairly good encourager, but he wrongly suggested that Job’s problems stemmed from God’s judgment. Although Job was innocent, it’s worth noting that sometimes sin does bring trouble to our lives. (Think of David, Bathsheba, and Uriah.) In that case, we can stay near to God by repenting and accepting His correction (Job 5:17).
Be aware that Satan wants the shock and bewilderment of hit-and-run problems to jar your faith. Turn the tables on him. Keep praying; don’t play the blame game (Job 1:22); repent when necessary. When trouble strikes, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 21:8-21
More:
Read 1 Peter 1:6-7 to see the outcome of tested faith. Read Jeremiah 17:7-8 to see how God blesses people who trust in Him even during hardships.
Next:
Why are Christian friends especially important during difficult days? How does your relationship with God change when life doesn’t go your way?
AManofGod on April 16, 2012 at 12:52 am
I loved this devotional!!! t strikes home for me with its truth!
During the past two years God has really tested me. I have had so many hardships and I have lost so many people and things….but throughout it all I remained close to Him. In fact I grew closer to Him as the trials got harder and harder. The strange thing is that as time went on the trials seemed to get lighter…..they were still there but somehow I was better able to handle them. Was I getting stronger….maybe. Was God developing strength and patience in me….DEFINITELY!
Now two years after the hardest part of my trials I notice that I have more than I had at the beginning. Everything that was taken from me God has replaced! How good and gracious is God!!!!
Stay steadfast during your trials people….they don’t last forever.
But God’s love does last forever!
AManofGod
jennifer benson schuldt on April 16, 2012 at 3:53 pm
AManofGod,
How encouraging to hear that as your trials got harder and harder, they seemed lighter and lighter because of Christ. Praise God for that paradox, and for the way He uses those situations to grow us up in Him!
Thank you also for sharing the epilogue about how God replaced everything that was taken from you. (Sounds like Job!) That is encouraging to those of us who are struggling with loss and grief. It’s reassuring to know that God’s love outlasts our trials! (Eph. 3:18)
Blessings and Peace to You,
Jen
jimgroberts on April 16, 2012 at 7:43 am
Without trials our faith>patience>perseverance> maturity would not grow. Now I see problems as opportunities.
However, in the moment of shock I turn to my own understanding and like Job “Why me” routine. I am thankful afterwards that God persist until in brokeness I come to Him. He rewards me with increased and patience to face the next trial and the compassion to help others who are going through similar things. His blessings are new every morning and so are our “opportunities”. Don’t forget Jesus has promised that nothing will befall us that we cannot overcome or escape. He is the great & good shepherd.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 16, 2012 at 5:19 pm
jimgroberts,
You listed several reasons why we can be “thankful in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Maturity, patience, compassion for others, and God’s support are all things that come into focus when we’re enmeshed in difficulty. Thank you for affirming what the Bible says through your personal experiences – “We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance” (Romans 5:3-5).
Jen
GChoo on April 16, 2012 at 7:52 am
Yes, God’s love does last forever. AManofGod, thank you for your sharing and Jennifer for today’s devo.
I have had great disappointment in my life too. Worst of all in a church that i had attended for almost 8 years and had served in the different ministries then. That experience would have made alot of christians not want to be involved with a church or just to be a mediocre christian. I am glad that i continued to pray and searched for an answer to why i was rewarded with disappointment after all i had done for the church. It was something i had never experienced before. It was a very difficult time and it affected me emotionally and my physical well being. Yes, satan will always be there to rip us out but when we continue to pray and be prayed for, hold onto His promises and keep trusting God will come to our rescue and bless us even more than we asked for. That’s what happened to me and i am so thankful and grateful to God for His many, many blessings.
jennifer benson schuldt on April 16, 2012 at 6:04 pm
GChoo,
Thank you for reminding us to stay close to God even when we face difficulties within the walls of the church. The Enemy wants to get us out of fellowship with believers so that we miss out on the encouragement and support we should receive from our brothers and sisters in Christ (Hebrews 10:25). I’m glad to hear that you stayed close to God through that time of trial. Prayer is essential (Romans 12:12). Finding “trustable” Christians is critical as well. May God bless you as you continue to serve Him. Remember, Jesus told us we would have trouble here on earth, but we can overcome it through Him because He overcame the world! (John 16:33)
lindafrances on April 16, 2012 at 9:23 am
When my mom, my best friend and mentor, died of cancer just 10 weeks after diagnoses; I was devastated. She was so active and too young to die; I did not understand why God chose to take her when she was doing so much for so many. Who would fill in the gap for her church work, her work in so many ministries outside the church, her outreach to so many people? And of course, no one could replace my mom.
Before this happened I thought I had a wonderful relationship with God. Everything in my life was perfect, almost perfect anyway. Today I realize it was a shallow relationship. I leaned and depended on my mom, more than I did God. She taught me so many wonderful things about God’s word, but they were things God taught HER and she shared them with me.
Today I seek out God, listening for what He has to say to ME. No more third party relationship. The pain of losing and missing my mom is still with me, but God is more real to me now than ever. He’s not only a “God is love” God, but a God who is with us when we suffer, who loves us so much he wants us to grow and be the people He intended. I’m not even close to being there at all yet. For a long time I tried to walk in my mom’s shoes, but know now that God has a different path for me. I follow Jesus not my mom, though she was a wonderful example. I will see her again and that gives me peace.
“For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
jennifer benson schuldt on April 16, 2012 at 5:54 pm
lindafrances,
Thank you for taking the time to post your message today–there’s much for us to learn from it. God truly is sufficient for us. He “satisfies every need” (Acts 17:25).
Here are some verses that might help as you go through this season of grief:
– Psalm 119:76-77
– Psalm 116:15
– Matthew 5:4
– 2 Corinthians 1:3
lindafrances on April 17, 2012 at 7:54 am
Sometimes people step in and say or do what my mom would have said; thank you for that.
achirannya on April 16, 2012 at 7:28 pm
I was so blessed by this message. Like Job I am experiencing right now a trials in my health, financial and family matters. But through reading this you remind me of When trouble strikes, “Come close to God, and God will come close to you” (James 4:8). Thank you so much for this reading Ms. Jennifer. I will always keep my FAITH with God even problems and suffering strikes to me….
jennifer benson schuldt on April 16, 2012 at 8:07 pm
achirannya,
May God equip you to get through this difficult time. May He give you wisdom, patience, and strength.
Remember His words to the nation of Israel, “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
alli on April 16, 2012 at 9:26 pm
thank you, i have a job life i mean between all the drama and abuse i REALLY struggle with bitterness and anger towards GOD it seems to NEVER end. I dont know how i cant hold on when im so angry all the time, it seems so unfair. But especially when i look at others lives and someone GOD seems to hate me an my family for reason i understand but i wish i could be someone else. I ask why all the time and how could a loving God allow me to be born in such a miserable situation esp when others are living so blessed an easy. i really get jealous sometimes. i feel like i might as well not be living in america but some other country where suffering on a daily basis is so prevalent. I relate to them it seems more. i dont understand why.
lindafrances on April 17, 2012 at 8:24 am
Alli,
I’m praying for you. If you are being abused, you need to get help. I would suggest you go see your pastor right away.
Blessings to you.
Linda
jimgroberts on April 17, 2012 at 10:26 am
Alli, I will pray That God will give you the strength and the assurance that He is with you. God has supernaturally carried through many situations including loss of family and abuse at work. Though often I could not feel His presence my Faith proved sufficient to lean on God and hear His voice. I am now in a foriegn country but being used by the Lord. It reminds me of the story of Joseph son of Jacob who was taken as a slave to Egypt spent many years in prison as an innocent man and yet God supernaturallu used him and he was able to say. Satan meant it for evil but allowed it for good. Sometimes we are only able to see the good of the situation afterwards. I pray that you will be able to see it through and find that God is still in control. With God all things are possible. Jim
jennifer benson schuldt on April 17, 2012 at 10:36 am
alli,
I am praying for you as well. I’m so sorry for the pain that you are experiencing. Lindafrances is right–if you are in an abusive situation, it’s important to get help as soon as possible.
As Christians, we have the assurance that God does not hate us. He loves us. As proof, He sent His Son to die for us, and then opened our eyes to that truth (1 John 4:9,10). When no one else loves us, He does (Romans 8:35-39).
Jen