LESSONS LEARNED FROM JOB!

What an incredible journey through Job! I have read it before, and heard it preached before, but this time was different. This time, God actually showed me a lot about Himself, and even more about me! This morning, I want to share just a few things this journey through Job has taught me.

1. All of our blessings come from God. Job had a lot of material wealth. He had been blessed greatly. But all of this was because of God. Job even stated that the Lord is the one who GIVES AND TAKES AWAY. Your wealth, is from God! Your material possessions, are because of God. Your family is because of God. ALL you have, is because God has given it! Rememer that! Remember that it is all His, and because of Him!

2. Stuff is not what really matters. Job literally lost everything, and yet still found a reason to live. His God was in control. And the value of his life was not contained in the stuff that he had. Too often, we judge our success or determine the value of others based on their bank account or the size of their house. What matters is that you know God, that you love people, that you spend time with God!

3. Be honest with God. Many times throughout this book, Job was real and honest with God about how he was feeling. God already knows how you are feeling or will feel, before you feel it. So there is no point in putting on a front! Just be real!

4. Trust the sovereignty of God. Believe that God knows what is best. He is in COMPLETE control. Everything passes through the hand of God. Job had no idea why God was doing what He was doing, but Job had to ultimately be ok not knowing. We are not meant to know, but we are commanded to trust. We struggle so much with trust because it means we arent in control! Trials will come. Suffering happens. Unpleasant experiences are a part of life! But God is in control! Always! Please please please trust that God knows what He is doing!

5. Practice repentance and experience restoration. In our reading today, Job repented of how he had acted toward God. He came broken, and left put back together. He came weary, and left strengthened. He came empty, and left filled. God will never refuse or turn away a broken and repentant spirit! God restored Job. God heard Job. Truthfully, God was never away from Job. He was always right there with Him! In the middle of trials and tests, we will act like human beings and we will mess up and act wrongly at times. Ask God to forgive you. Repent and be restored!