How to Handle Tough Times 8 Things Job Lost A study of Job (2 of 4) Job 1:18-19 June 12 - AM

Introduction Job suffered much (last week’s sermon) He did not charge God or sin But he lost everything (almost)

Introduction WHAT COULD YOU LOSE AND STILL KEEP YOUR FAITH? NOTICE TODAY 8 THINGS JOB LOST BUT HE KEPT HIS FAITH

JOB LOST - FAMILY All his family - 10 Children – 7 sons, 3 daughters – In-Laws - Grandchildren Job 1: Job 1: While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

JOB LOST - POSSESSIONS Job was rich – He lost all his material possessions Job 1: Job 1: Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

JOB LOST - POSSESSIONS Job 1: Job 1: While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!”

JOB LOST - HEALTH Job 2:7-8 - Job 2: So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD, and struck Job with painful boils from the sole of his foot to the crown of his head. 8 And he took for himself a potsherd with which to scrape himself while he sat in the midst of the ashes.

JOB LOST - SUPPORT Job 2:9 - Job 2:9 - Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Job 19:17a Job 19:17a - My breath is offensive to my wife, She was supposed to be his “helpmeet” She became his “hurtmeet”

JOB LOST – LOVE OF LIFE Job 3:1-3 - Job 3: After this Job opened his mouth and cursed the day of his birth. 2 And Job spoke, and said: 3 “May the day perish on which I was born, And the night in which it was said, ‘A male child is conceived.’ Job 3:11-12 Job 3:11-12 – 11 “Why did I not die at birth? Why did I not perish when I came from the womb? 12 Why did the knees receive me? Or why the breasts, that I should nurse?

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 6:4 - Job 6:4 - For the arrows of the Almighty are within me; My spirit drinks in their poison; The terrors of God are arrayed against me. Job 9:17 Job 9:17 - For He crushes me with a tempest, And multiplies my wounds without cause. Job 10:10 Job 10:10 - Did You not pour me out like milk, And curdle me like cheese,

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 16:9 Job 16:9 - He tears me in His wrath, and hates me; He gnashes at me with His teeth; My adversary sharpens His gaze on me. Job 16:11-12 Job 16:11-12 – 11 God has delivered me to the ungodly, And turned me over to the hands of the wicked. 12 I was at ease, but He has shattered me; He also has taken me by my neck, and shaken me to pieces; He has set me up for His target,

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 16:13-14 Job 16: His archers surround me. He pierces my heart and does not pity; He pours out my gall on the ground. 14 He breaks me with wound upon wound; He runs at me like a warrior. Job 19:12 Job 19:12 - His troops come together And build up their road against me; They encamp all around my tent.

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 23:16 Job 23:16 - For God made my heart weak, And the Almighty terrifies me; Job 29:4-5 Job 29:4-5 – 4 Just as I was in the days of my prime, When the friendly counsel of God was over my tent; 5 When the Almighty was yet with me, When my children were around me; Job 30:19 Job 30:19 - He has cast me into the mire, And I have become like dust and ashes.

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 30:21 Job 30:21 - But You have become cruel to me; With the strength of Your hand You oppose me. NOTE: Present vs. Future Righteousness Job felt God had done him wrong He does not believe that God was right and just in allowing the suffering

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job 23:9-10 – Job 23:9-10 – 9 When He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. 10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.

JOB LOST – FAITH IN GOD’S PRESENT RIGHTEOUSNESS Job believes in the ultimate and final righteousness of God But he does not believe in the PRESENT righteousness

JOB LOST – MUCH Job lost much in the realm of the physical, in material possessions, his health, and in his support network BUT – Job did not lose his faith that – in the end God will do what is right and Job would be found faithful HOW TO HANDLE TOUGH TIMES – Don’t lose your faith in God’s righteousness.