WHAT WILL BE YOUR RESPONSE?
Job 1:1-12
Satan, our chief adversary never rests! Like a hungry lion stalking his prey, he is constantly at work upon the earth today searching for every opportunity to oppose us and bring us to destruction.
As our adversary, he lies, deceives, tempts, and attacks us through our circumstances, then he slanders and accuses us before God. The Greek word for “devil” is diabolos, which means “an accuser; a slanderer.” As an accuser, Satan appears before God where he hurls accusations against us day and night (Revelation 12:9-10).
Job chapter one describes Job as a perfect and upright man who feared God and turned away from all evil. God blessed and prospered the work of his hands until he was the greatest man among all the people of the east. He had seven sons and three daughters, three thousand camels, seven thousand sheep, five hundred female donkeys, five hundred yoke of oxen and a large number of servants. He was greatly admired and respected all over the country.
Suddenly, without warning, Job’s entire life was shattered. In one day all of his possessions were destroyed. One right after the other, messengers came with the bad news. The first messenger said,
“The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:14-15, NIV).
While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived and told him:
“…The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!” (Job 1:16, NIV).
Before the second messenger could get the words out of his mouth, a third messenger came running up to Job and said:
“…The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you! “ (Job 1:17, NIV).
As he was speaking, a fourth messenger arrived with a message that struck Job like an arrow piercing his heart:
“…Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the older 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 escape to tell you.” (Job 1:18-19, NIV).
You don’t know what you may be facing today, tomorrow, or next week. What will be your response to adversity?
Make this declaration:
I will face adversity in the strength and power of the Holy Spirit, knowing God is in control of my circumstances.
