Tag: Job

He Sat Among The Ashes

Job 1
5 And it was so, when the days of their feasting were over, that Job sent for them to purify and sanctify them, and rose up early in the morning, and offered burnt offerings according to the number of them all: for Job said, It may be that my sons have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts. Thus did Job continually.

Job 2
8 And he took him a potsherd to scrape himself withal; and he sat down among the ashes.

  • Consider where those ashes came from and how they came to be there. They came from the altar and his daily sacrifices.
  • When everything was lost and the storm raged over His life, Job went and sat in the most intimate place of fellowship, his place of meeting with God. He found himself sat in and surrounded by the ashes of His intimate relationship with The Lord. He sat in the memory of The Lord’s faithfulness, The Lord’s provision, The Lord’s life-giving teaching, wisdom and promises. In the place that he had found the most joy, peace, hope and promise of redemption. When all physical, fleshly things were taken from him, Job did not worry, but worship!! He found solace, security and comfort in The Lord.
  • Oh may we know The Lord as Job does. There is no reason why we can’t. We have no excuse not to. We have far more reason and opportunity to know The Lord far more fully. Yet, in the trial, we are so often less likely to worship. The issue is not dispensational, the difference between Job and us (at times) is simply relational.
  • Let us be busy creating ashes of consistency with The Lord. Calling on His name, trusting in His word, seeking Him for cleansing, provision, wisdom and blessing, bringing sacrifices of praise and worship, sweet smelling savours in prayer and intercession. Let us pour out the most precious gifts to Him as David did. Then, when all is taken away, burned up and lost… May we also be found among the ashes of a life lived in communion with our Almighty, Sovereign God.

Give The Enemy No Credit

Job 1:20
Then Job arose, and tore his coat, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped

Job 2
9 Then said his wife unto him, Do you still hold fast to your integrity? curse God, and die.
10 But he said to her, You speak as one of the impious and foolish women would speak. What? Shall we accept only good at the hand of God and shall we not accept evil? In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.

  • Job never mentions the devil. He never gives the enemy any credit and never attributes to him any power or ability. He only sees and only fears His sovereign God who he is intimately acquainted with. Who he has walked with, talked with, trusted and proven!
  • It’s true that Paul talks of being hindered to the Thessalonians but… He DOES NOT say that the work of God was hindered. He DOES NOT say that his faith in or fellowship with Christ was hindered. He DOES NOT say that God’s sovereign plan was hindered! he only mentions it in passing concerning a personal desire to see them.
  • Born Again believers, the Temples of The Holy Ghost, who ought to be abiding in Christ and in the secret place of The Most High (where no evil can be!!), often give the devil far too much attention and give not enough reverence to the sovereignty of Almighty God!! The devil cannot touch God’s children abiding in Him without permission and that… Will always be for His glory to be revealed!
  • The devil has as much power over you as you attribute to him. Yes the devil is a powerful, crafty foe… But He is a defeated enemy before the sons and daughters of God.

Luke 22
31 “Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has demanded permission to sift [all of] you like grain;
32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith [and confidence in Me] may not fail; and you, once you have turned back again [to Me], strengthen and support your brothers [in the faith].”

  • Jesus is saying that Satan will indeed sift you!! But the sifting is only to reveal the grain! Let the chaff (flesh) be removed and let the glory of God be revealed as we abide in Him and keep looking unto Jesus who is the beginning and the end, the author and finisher, the Risen, Conquering King!! The one who has all things placed under His feet!! ABIDE IN HIM!!! He is the power and the glory! Yield and submit to His sovereign plan and timing. Trust in His faithfulness and loving ways. The sifting is painful but “When He has tried me, I shall come forth as refined gold [pure and luminous].” Job 23:10
  • Follow in Jobs example. Give the devil no credit. Attribute to him no power. When He is given permission to sift… Then may we be found on our faces in worship before The Almighty, Sovereign God! Hallelujah!!