“I see your having a rough time. I heard about this book that will solve your problem in 10 easy steps that take 30 minutes a day. You should check it out.” Has anyone ever said something like that to you? It is amazing how easily people will acknowledge the problems of your life and suggests ‘proven’ ways for solving them. There are over one-hundred-thousand book results for ‘self help books’ on the Amazon store. There are many voices in the world proclaiming solutions to problems but they will all fall short of the mark. Whenever a solution to the tribulation of the world is sought apart from God failure will be quickly reaped. Continue Reading…
Tag Archive - Tribulation
The best self help book focuses on God and not you: Psalm 62
Peace, hope and purpose found in a proper perspective: Job Summary
The story in the book of Job is portrayed on two distinct levels. At the macro-level we see the impetus for the calamity that befalls Job when God discusses His servant with Satan resulting in God allowing Satan to bring calamity upon Job. On the micro-level we see the loss of family, wealth and health for Job along with the futile comfort offered by his friends Zophar, Bildad and Eliphaz. How do we cope when calamities come upon us when outwardly we only see our life from the midst of trouble and tribulation? Can hope be had in the midst of calamity? How do we deal with the anger and despair that vies for our attention when we are in the midst of trouble?
Job was faced with his way of life being disturbed and radically changed when his children, livestock and health were struck by Satan. Job had no foreknowledge that these events that transformed his life were ordained and allowed by God. His main concern was questioning why these events happened to him, an upright man who sought God above all. The knowledge and faith that Job had in God was great but his perspective on his situation was fixed inwardly and not upon God. Continue Reading…
Contrast shows peoples true feelings: Job 29 and 30
Do we long for the glorious past? Do we sometimes think that God has forgotten us? In Job 29 and 30 Job reflects on everything that has changed since the calamity fell upon him. As Job speaks we get a greater understanding and picture of his life. Prior to losing his children, livelihood and health, Job’s life was marked by renown, admiration, respect, notoriety, charity and compassion. People looked at Job with an awe and wonder at all that he was blessed with and all that he did for others. Did this acknowledgement from men cause pride to develop in Job? After suffering so much loss Job was taunted, spit upon and talked about as he suffered persecution and cruelty from those who once looked up to him. There is a stark contrast between the life of Job before and after the troubling times. Continue Reading…
Hope secured in the mystery of God’s concern for mankind: Job 23 and 24
Job desires to find God and proclaim the wrongs that have happened in Job chapter 23. Would he really argue his case before God? Could any man stand to argue his case before God? The almighty God is so far above our concerns yet He still cares about us. Worship, awe and reverence would be the only thoughts in our mind were God to appear before us. Job knew and understood that God is infinitely greater than himself but he also knew that God cared about him. Does the knowledge that God cared about him make Job more confused? Is it necessary for us to endure difficult moments for us to appreciate God’s reason for ordaining and allowing the situation to happen? Continue Reading…
Upon what foundation is true friendship built: Job 5 and 6
“Teach me, and I will be silent; and show me how I have erred. How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? Do you intend to reprove my words, when the words of one in despair belong to the wind? You would even cast lots for the orphans and barter over your friend. Now please look at me, and see ifife group I lie to your face. Desist now, let there be no injustice; even desist, my righteousness is yet in it. Is there injustice on my tongue? Cannot my palate discern calamities?” Job 6:24-30 Continue Reading…
One man’s despair is another man’s judgement: Job 3 and 4
In Job chapters 3 and 4 we find Job lamenting his birth and one of his three companions seeks to give consul and help. Have you ever had such a traumatic moment in your life that you felt as if a dark cloud were hanging over your head and all you feel is pain? This is what Job is feeling in chapter three. He wonders if he was born only to have calamity fall upon me, then why be born at all. Is death truly an escape? What is the focus of Job’s feelings and emotions at this point? He is looking inward only and he can not look beyond the pain at this point. “For what I fear comes upon me, and what I dread befalls me. I am not at ease, nor am I quiet, and I am not at rest, but turmoil comes.” Job 3:25,26 How would you endure if you were placed in Job’s position? Would you feel that complete brokenness of your heart? Continue Reading…
Amid the painful moments, do blessings abound: Job 1 and 2
As I read through Job 1 and 2 many questions were brought to mind about the personality and character of Job. What type of father was he and what type of husband? What was the most influencing factor in Job’s life? Did Job express the love of God through his life to those around him? How are parents to instill and encourage a strong faith in God to their children? Did Job condone the feasting of his children? “And then the days of the feast had run their course, Job, would send and consecrate [his children], and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.” Job 1:5 Continue Reading…
Tears shed in troubled times: 2 Kings 19 and 20
In the moments when your world is crashing down upon you and the outlook for life is bleak how do your reactions and actions portray you? What moments have you faced in life that made your whole world come to a halt? Where did you turn? How did you act? The way we act in the midst of trouble, trial, and tribulation will show who we truly are and what we believe. Do your actions point towards an almighty God who is the wellspring of hope or do your actions lash out against fate and destiny in remorse over your lot in life?
At the end of 2 Kings 18 the Assyrians besiege Judah and Hezekiah the king of Judah found himself in the midst of a moment where he was unsure of the future and hope was dwindling. In the midst of this troubled time Hezekiah seeks out God and He proves himself faithful to Judah by turning away the army of Assyria. Continue Reading…
Hope in God despite trouble, trials, and tribulation: 2 Samuel Summary
What type of leadership is necessary within your family? How do you react to someone who has hurt you and betrayed your trust? How do you survive through life when trouble, trials, and tribulation seem to engulf you? These are some of the questions of life that are answered in 2 Samuel. The book of 2 Samuel builds upon the previous books of the old testament by showing us what clinging to God looks like in life. I found hope to make it through the difficult moments in life as I looked at the life that David lived. He was far from perfect and marked by many faults and failures yet God was completely faithful to David. Continue Reading…
