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In Tough Times
In Tough Times
Tough times are a blessing because they test
the genuineness of our faith in God!
In Tough Times
It’s easy to thank God when everything is going your way.
But what about when the bottom drops out?
In Tough Times
Job is the perfect example of someone who had
everything…then lost it all in one day.
In Tough Times
In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. He
had seven sons and three daughters, and he owned seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen and five hundred donkeys, and had a large
number of servants. He was the greatest man among all the people of the East.
Job 1:1-3
In Tough Times
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no
one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.” “Does Job fear God for nothing?”
Satan replied. “Have you not put a hedge around him and his household and
everything he has?Job 1:8-9
In Tough Times
You have blessed the work of his hands, so that his flocks and herds
are spread throughout the land. But now stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely
curse you to your face.” Job 1: 10-11
In Tough Times
… a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the
donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the
sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” Job 1:14-15
In Tough Times
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire
of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the
servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” Job 1:16
In Tough Times
While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your
camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to
tell you!” Job 1:17
In Tough Times
While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine
at the oldest brother’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are
dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
Job 1:18-19
In Tough Times
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground
in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the
name of the LORD be praised.” Job 1:20-21
In Tough Times
DANG! In one day, Job went from being the greatest man in his
region to being utterly destitute.Job’s response was to…
worship and praise God!
In Tough Times
This was more than just fatalistic resignation to his situation.
This was recognition of …
God’s constant goodness!
In Tough Times
“God is good all the time and
all the time God is good!”
In Tough Times
Job’s Secret: Focusing on blessings
that can’t be taken away!
In Tough Times
Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he
has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus
Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil
or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you… 1 Peter 1:3-4
In Tough Times
Count Your (Eternal)Blessings
In Tough Times
Eternal Blessing #1: New Birth
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word
of God. 1 Peter 1:23
In Tough Times
Eternal Blessing #2: Living Hope
And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love
into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us. Romans 5:5
In Tough Times
Eternal Blessing #3: Unfading Inheritance
…giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. Col. 1:12
In Tough Times
Invitation:Become a recipient
God’s eternal blessings today by asking Jesus to be your
Savior and Lord!