Fear God for Nought?

Job 1:9

Introduction:

• Read Job 1:1-12
• Satan laid out four ways that God has hedged Job in, and claims that is why Job fears God
• Satan does not question that he is a perfect and upright man, and escheweth evil, those things are clearly seen. Truly fearing God may not be seen as easily
• Satan says if you touch that, he will curse you to your face
• Let us take the time to do a self-examination of our fear of God
• If all were lost, damaged, or completely destroyed would you fear or curse God?

Verse 10, “Hast not thou made an hedge about…”

Him

• This is Physical, Verse 12, cannot touch him, 2:1-6 cannot kill him
• 2:7-8 Head to toe! Job was smitten physically bad
• Job’s reaction, verses 9-10 He Did not curse God!
• Life is both, good and evil!
• Why me? Why not you?
• It has been said, “your health is all you have”
• Physical health can affect your emotions, and your spiritual health
• Illustration of when I was stricken with Eczema from head to toe and the affect it had on my spirit and on my spiritual fellowship with God
• Prov.18:14 The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?
• MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
• Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
• Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?

His House

• This is Personal. That is Job’s family
• He went way beyond the call of duty for his family, Verse 5
• Spouses, children, parents, relatives, relationships, that is your house!
• Illustration of the loss of my spouse and how it grew me closer to God
• Sickness – Birth defects… God made them just as he wished.
• Maureen’s story of raising Hannah and a point where she shook her fist at God.
• Rebellion – of children, and the broken hearts and tears
• MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
• Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
• Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?

All He Hath

• This is all his Possessions
• He had much, Verse 3
• Riches, wealth, Stuff we all have or collect
• Illustration – Hurricanes, Fires, stock market, lose all in a blink of an eye
• Story of my lost wedding ring and how destroyed I was.
• Matthew 6:20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
• Verse 20, Job worshiped!
• MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
• Many people become bitter when they suffer loss in these.
• Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?

The work of his hands

• This is his Prestige   Job was well known!
• The work of your hands is who you are! Your Identity.
• Your profession, fortune, fame, or reputation
• Being a Mother – empty nest    Missionaries that fail on the field
• Illustration of being a Licensed Master Plumber, Business Owner etc. and the feeling of loss when it was over. When it stops, what will you do?
• MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
• Many people get bitter when there is a loss in this area
• Do you fear God for nought, or no matter what?

Conclusion:

• We spend much of our time and prayer trying to avoid suffering.
• When suffering causes learning and growth closer to God.
• Truly the suffering passes, and we get to keep all that was learned and the fellowship we have with God.
• MUST Choose to believe the Book, Your Father loves you, He wants what is best for you, He never makes a mistake, and there is never surprise in Heaven.
• Do you fear God no matter what?