I really like that we are reading Job early in the year in our Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, rather than at the end of the year as we used to! It is NOT my favorite book in the Bible, but ALL Scripture is profitable and with a fresh perspective, we can learn more from Job! Over the years many people have confronted me with the idea that God allowed Job to be attacked by satan and that He may be allowing US to be attacked for a reason. Some people like to consider that THEY are going through a "Job" experience! Simply for information at the moment, do you realize that the entire book of Job took place over about a nine month period? AND that Job was blessed doubly in property of all that was lost? But for those who would like to think that God was the author of all Job's trouble, look at Job 3:25 to find the source of all of Job's problems:
25 For the thing which I greatly fear comes upon me, and that of which I am afraid befalls me.
"I greatly feared" is the Hebrew word "pachad", which means: to be startled, to fear, to tremble, to be in dread. Job was so afraid that his children would do something against God that he was continually offering sacrifices, just in case they did something wrong! He did NOT understand the God he served! Fear is NOT just a thought or an emotion! Fear is a very really spirit of darkness that will completely rob you of faith and confidence in the God of the Bible, IF you give in to it! DON'T! God reveals exactly where fear comes from in 2 Timothy 1:7. Here it is in KJV and the Amplified Bible:
7 For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. KJV
7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity (of cowardice, of craven and cringing and fawning fear), but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of calm and well-balanced mind and discipline and self-control. AMP
Learn to recognize fear for what it really is, and get rid of it! Bind up fear in the Name of Jesus and command it to be GONE! Now, find your faith for every situation from the Word of God and then, as you stand fear-free, you will operate with a clear and sharp mind and be able to access the power of God that is needful to overcome each and every attack of the devil! YOU have the power to keep satan OUT of your life! Only YOU can use it! AMEN! Here is a children's worship song by Ken Blount called "The Bold Song":
Shalom in Him!
