Today’s post is about Job’s healing.
Have you turned to the book of Job for guidance in your journey? It’s a difficult book to read and easy to misunderstand. I hope this post will explain things a little for you.
I’m going to give you 5 lessons from the book of Job, I think are fundamental to the healing journey. I also include the truth behind a couple of myths that you may be believing.
So if you’re concerned that God is granting permission to the devil to attack you or that He is ready and waiting to take your life away, then you can relax.
I would say these are inaccurate teachings, taken from those who misunderstand what the Book of Job is all about.
So let’s get started:
I was sat in a church a few years ago and was completely shocked to hear the visiting preacher say that the purpose of Job’s sufferings was for us to learn that our suffering will always be minor in comparison.
Oh my goodness, that does not sound like something a loving Father would ever say to his children!
I would say there are 5 main lessons from the story of Job that support us in our faith for healing.
LESSONS FROM JOB’S HEALING
1. GOD ISN’T GRANTING PERMISSION FOR US TO BE SICK
The Bible tells us that the devil asked permission from God to cause Job’s suffering. And people have therefore assumed that the same is true for us.
This isn’t accurate. (This is myth #1)
Yes God did give permission for Job’s suffering, but this was before the Cross of Jesus. The devil can now no longer approach God to ask if he can harm us.
Job wasn’t born again or even in covenant with God. He didn’t have the Holy Spirit. In fact, he was completely alone.
We are highly favoured, with an intercessor, an advocate at God’s right hand.
We can expect healing, favour, blessings and abundance because we are God’s beloved children. PRAISE GOD.
Please do not compare yourself or your situation to Job’s suffering.
2. BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD PEOPLE
Religious people in the Old Testament believed in retribution. (And in all fairness, plenty of Christians believe this as well). So if someone has sinned, there will be some kind of karma.
We also live in times where ‘blame culture’ is rife. But the book of Job shows us that indeed horrific things do happen to good people.
God is proud of Job; the most righteous man alive.
Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?
Job 1:8
(Just to clarify, Job wasn’t perfect, he had self-righteousness and pride but I don’t think this is why he was sick.)
The devil is very real and responsible for Job’s suffering but Job had no idea of the devil’s existence. He is the cause of Job’s suffering, not God.
If you think about it, how many people do you know who have little or no thought of God, yet they seem to have all the blessings?
So if you think your illness is because you sinned, you can relax. See ARE THERE SPIRITUAL CAUSES FOR DISEASE?
3. GOD DOES THE MIRACULOUS
Your illness is an opportunity for God to do something completely miraculous. The words of Joseph when addressing his brothers show his revelation of God’s restoration.
Of course, God doesn’t create misfortune or illness. But,
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
Rom 8:28
In the story of Job’s healing we see this in a couple of ways. Firstly Job’s outstanding sacrifice of praise even though his suffering was extreme speaks volumes of God’s existence.
“For I know that my Redeemer lives, And He shall stand at last on the earth;” Job 19:25
He may not be right in all of his thinking, but He did continue to elevate God above all. Be encouraged that when others see your commitment to God despite your trials, they take notice.
It makes God look good, when we display joy and peace in the midst of the storm. See HOW TO REJOICE IN OUR SUFFERINGS?
Secondly, God restored double for all that Job lost. (And out of all of the lessons from Job’s healing, this is my favourite!)
And the LORD restored Job’s losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
Job 42:10
So if you feel that the enemy has robbed you of years, people or finances, know that God is a restorer!
4. WE EXPERIENCE INTIMACY WITH GOD
When Job’s healing journey first began, he wrongly attributed his suffering to God. In his defence, He didn’t have the Bible or the Holy Spirit the way we do.
He just didn’t know God at all. Job began full of religion and self-righteousness because he only had a secondhand experience with God.
BUT, His sufferings led to a first-hand encounter with intimacy causing him to repent.
My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Job 42:5
Through our trials we can experience a greater revelation of God’s love.
Have you a first-hand encounter with God? I hope through your healing journey, you’ll really get to know the real living God.
5. GOD DOESN’T TAKE AWAY
Probably the most famous verse from Job, but often taken out of context. ‘The Lord gives and takes away…’ This is myth #2
God never said this. Job said these words, not God. He admits he was wrong at the end of the story when he repents.
In fact, the Psalmist says “May the LORD give you increase more and more…” Ps 115:14
God wants to add to your life, not take away!
The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy, but I have come that they may have life and have it more abundantly.
John 10:10
John’s revelation of God was far greater than Job’s. It is Satan who takes away. See THE ENEMY COMES TO KILL STEAL AND DESTROY
In fact, what happened to Job will never happen to us.
We’re not meant to identify with Job, we’re children of God. Perhaps you lost a loved one and you think that it was God that took him away.
You can rest assured that God is not behind your problems.
What difference would it make to your journey, if you had the revelation that the purpose of Job’s healing journey is to point you to Jesus, our advocate who sits at the Father’s right hand. (I love both Barry Bennett’s and Joseph Prince’s teaching on Job)
God is revealing his love to you throughout your healing journey as you trust in Him. I pray this post helps you pass the test in persevering in your praise and faith in God.
Lorna x
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