Feast: 'Have You Considered My Servant [Insert Your Name]?'
#FT26-04B
Ted E. Bowling
Given 29-Sep-26; 36 minutes
description: The Book of Job reveals that suffering is not a sign of divine abandonment but a sovereignly orchestrated test of faith where God, not Satan, holds ultimate authority. By allowing limited trials within strict boundaries, God demonstrates His trust in His servants, using adversity to build endurance and character while proving that faithfulness is not merely conditional on blessings. This narrative transforms personal suffering into a grand witness, assuring believers that their trials are purposeful, manageable through God's provision, and undergirded by Christ's intercession. Ultimately, Job's story invites individuals to stand firm in the knowledge that every hardship is part of a larger spiritual reality, governed by a compassionate God who guarantees that no trial exceeds what one can bear and promises eventual restoration for those who hold fast to their faith.
transcript:
Today, I'd like to build on my last sermon on patience, endurance, and long-suffering. And I would like to thank Clyde for his sermonette because it's going to kinda go hand in hand here. I'd like to speak about Job And there is a lot we can learn about Job. Uh, we can learn a lot about suffering, long endurance, long suffering, and endurance. And There is no one that we know, I think in the scriptures that has suffered more than Job. In fact, in that last sermon that I gave, I purposely did not mention Job specifically because I was going to speak about him today. And the one thing I want to That's really come out to me is that Uh, as studying Job. That It seems that we learned even more about our Creator God. So please go ahead and turn to Job in chapter one. Job chapter one. There was a man in the land of Oz whose name was Job. And, and that man was blameless and upright and one who feared God and shunned evil, and 7 sons and 3 daughters were born to him. Then we see in verses 3 through 5, it kinda goes through the great wealth that he had built up. Then in verse 6, Now, there came a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came among them. And the Lord said to Satan, from where do you come? Satan answered the Lord and said, from going to and fro on the earth. And from walking back and forth. So Satan came from Earth. To heaven Or at least in God's abode. And was we, well, he said he'd been doing, he said he'd been going to and fro. And it made me think about first, Peter. Chapter 5 and verse 8 where it says, That he roams the earth seeking who he may devour. And I'd say that Satan is daily and, and, and, and every moment is looking for the weaknesses of men, especially of God. Especially for that opportunity. To look through the cracks in men, in their character, and in their loyalty to God. He also looks for opportunities to set traps and snares for us. And it is interesting to me that God asked him the question in the first place. God's all knowing. He knew exactly where Satan had been and exactly what he was doing. But maybe he said it to lead into this next statement, which is a verse 8. 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, a man who fears God and shuns evil. Now, notice that God took the initiative in setting the perimeters for this situation. That everything that was going to happen to Job, it was not Satan. And I'm sure that Satan had had his eye on Job for some time cause he also knew there is probably no one on the earth like Job. God called Job my servant, perfect, upright. One who fears God and one who shuns evil. Perfect does not mean sinless. It means complete or whole, mature, sound, and integrity. Joe was a good man. And he was not sinless. Uh, Job was a sinner like all of us are sinners. The Bible tells us so. And Job, I'm sure he had his weaknesses in the flesh, just as each and every one of us have our weaknesses. But imagine hearing that testimony. It was not Job making a self-declaration of his righteousness. This was God's assessment of Job, that he was an upright man that shunned evil. And then in verse 9, And Satan answered the Lord and said, Does Job fear God for nothing? Have you not made a hedge around him, around his household and around all that he has that he on, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands and his possessions. Have, have increased in the land. So, Satan here reveals there is a hedge. Now, a hedge is like a fence. Or a barrier that provides protection. It was God that insulated Job. And for the young people, it was God that provided the force field around. Job. So, Job was protected from anything that Satan might be able to do to him. Removing that blessing. Removing that protection, would his loyalty collapse? That's what Satan was thinking. And by the way, You and I We're under that same protection of our Heavenly Father. We have that same hedge, that same force field around us. And nothing can compromise it if it's by God. And in verse 11, but now, stretch out your hand and touch all that he has. And surely, It will curse you to your face. Now, here Satan questions the motives. Of Jews faithfulness. In other words, he's saying, he serves you only because you pay him well. You bless him, and you have his protection. And Satan argues that Satan's Or excuse me, Satan argues that Job's obedience is conditional. Then we read in verse 12. And the Lord said to Satan, behold all that he has is in your power. Only do not lay your hand upon his person. So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. So here we see that God sets the limits on what could be done to Job. Now, imagine Job. One day he's just going along, living his life. Everything's going well, doing his best to obey God. Living his life to the best of his ability. He did not know the conversation that was going on in heaven. He did not know that Satan was preparing to lower the boom on him. But Satan was saying, let me touch his life, and we will see what he's really made of. And so, Satan was given that authority to touch his life and suddenly, All of his kids were killed and all of his wealth was taken away. Everything that Job knew was turned upside down in that one day. When God lowered that hedge protecting Job. You know, God knew What was going to happen? He knew the mind of Satan. He knew what calamities that he would bring on to Job. You know, there is no doubt in my mind that just as God knows you and I, clearly. He knows Satan as well. And he knows the way he thinks, what he will do, what his actions will be. And so, God set the barrier, the, the boundaries of what Satan was allowed to do to him. God tells Satan. This far and no farther. So It's important to know that God always sets the limits. God is always in charge, and that should be encouraging to you and I. Because he, we will know that he will do nothing to us or allow anything to happen to us that we can't handle. And despite Satan having greater natural powers than any man, Satan could do nothing against God's children without God's permission. Satan can do nothing. It's impossible without God giving the go. And if God gives Satan the permission to do something, then it's only because God wants it to occur. If God says no, Satan is powerless. Satan, in all essence, is just merely a tool. In the hands of a sovereign God. And I'd like to say that I believe that the book of Job is more about the sovereignty of God. Yes, Job is the subject of the book and his interaction with his friends. But it's also important to note also that even Satan is not an important player in this story. If anything, his role is very minor. In fact, after Job chapter 2 and verse 7, Satan's never mentioned again in the whole book. So the story of Job. is about God and primarily the sovereignty of God. And it tells us to keep our eyes on God throughout this story of Job. That needs to be in the back of our minds when we study and read this. And how, and watch how Job responds to the things that God instigates. So, was Satan right about Job? Absolutely not. After Job suffered all these appalling losses, the loss of his possessions, The loss of his family. Job makes a very significant statement. In chapter 1 and verse 21. Job said, Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave And the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. That may be one of the most important statements in the whole book for Job. It's a statement that we also should think about in our own lives. The Lord gives us and he takes away. Blessed be God. And then chapter 2, we see that Satan goes to God again, says back up to his throne and says, Well, this was not enough. I will not touch him. And God does. It allows him to touch, touch and physically just not to take his life. Does it work? No. And I want to say this. As long as we live, if, if we live long enough. I think each and every one of us will experience the same type of things that Job experienced. To one degree or another. Now, I do not think it would ever be to the degree. What Joe experienced. But I believe that every aspect of what Job experienced. We will experience, we will experience the loss of health, the loss of loved ones. Loss of friends, the loss of employment or wealth. But again, never to the degree. Of what Job experienced. Job was just a man like you and me. So I want you to imagine this scene again. In chapter one. We see the sons of, of God gathered together before him in heaven. And Satan comes along. Among them again. And then God initiates, initiates a conversation with Satan. And then God does something shocking. He looks at Satan and says, Have you considered my servant? Now, I want you to insert your name here. Have you considered my servant, Bill? Have you considered my servant, Richard? David, Joe. All of you Now, I would say, this would probably be a terrifying and a glorious, a glorious thought at the same time. God is speaking your name in heaven. Between all the heavenly hosts and before Satan the devil. By Job God knows you He knows your walk He knows your mind. He knows your values. He knows your weaknesses. Your struggles, and your faithfulness. And when I first gave this thought for the subject, I began to look at the life of, of Job, his sufferings, and what he went through just a little bit differently from this perspective. And I say they have become a little bit more real to me and quite sobering. So what do you think your reaction would be? I think it's safe to say that most of us say, well, I'd rather stay hidden. I like to fly under the radar. You know, I really like to have a quiet life behind the hedge. And I think it, I prefer that God not mention my name here to the enemy. Look someplace else. Yet, God speaks your name out loud in the halls of heaven. God knows you are working to do the right thing. He knows you're trying to live an upright life. He knows you're trying to put sin out of your life. And you're working to become loyal to him in every way. But what does Satan see? Well, he sees your loyalty to God. That it comes with a price tag. He thinks that you're serving God conditionally as well. I'll tell you what, I was thinking about this. I think that it was, this is because capable, that Satan is not capable of seeing the good in man. And I do not believe he sees. That there can be purity A pure love for God. I think it's totally beyond him, and so he can't understand it. That's my opinion. And so when we study the book of Job, When we insert our name in the place of Job. It gives us a totally different perspective of the story. How would you handle it if you were a Joe's physician? You, would you have the same thought process as he did? I think it would certainly help you in your attitude when you see someone else going through a different difficult trial. I think you would be less judgmental thinking, well, You know I know I go through the same things. I think Joe brought it up very well in his, in his sermonette. That you think about your friends a little bit differently. And you can start to have a little bit more empathy. Because you understand the trials that they are going through. And there is a price to pay. And understand, it may be simply that God is testing us to grow stronger in faith. It's not necessarily that you sinned. Now, it does, does happen and sometimes we do suffer for that. But see, we shouldn't be judging our brothers. When they are going through a difficult trial and thinking, what did they do wrong? Again, Joe, Joe said it well yesterday. If we can walk in another man's shoes. In that situation, in this situation of Job's, I do believe it will help us to have more compassion. And to be more supportive of our friends. And family And also, as Joe said, to have a proper empathy for them. So I asked the question, when God looks at you, what does he see? Does he see someone turning away from darkness? Does he see a heart that's true when nobody else is looking or watching? God knew Job's foundation. He knew it's blameless, upright, and he feared. He understood that Job was sinless. Meaning he was single-minded. About Because Job lived a life aware and a respect for the Almighty God. And that's the way he conducted his life. And that's the foundation that God wants you to have as well, to be that strong. He wants your life to be an ongoing testimony of that genuine love for your Creator. A love that does not depend on a comfortable life or what you can get from God. Job lived his life dedicated to God in a culture that was far from God. And I would say today. In this nation, especially. A nation that continually is drifting farther from God. Now they may fear, they may claim to be a God-fearing country. But it, but it's not in action. And so When God lowers the hedge in your life. Will you serve him regardless of what happens in your life? Is your obedience conditional? Do you serve God only because he keeps you and protects you? Is your faith tied to prosperity? This is very important One thing we learned from Job is that your trials are not proof that God has abandoned you. Instead, I believe it's proof that God trusts you and that he is there for you. And he wants you to grow in faith and with, and, and hold up in that trial. Because You never know When it's going to happen. You never know when your name, when you are being discussed in heaven. And when suddenly sickness comes along. Or deep discouragement hits. And we are looking around for answers. Suffering comes, and it feels like punishment. But sometimes it's your opportunity. For your testimony to shine. It is God showing the powers of darkness that you are a redeemed servant of God. And that you will hold on and endure when the storms hit hard. Will your patience and your willingness to suffer long He's shaken Or you hold up. You know, when your name is spoken. We're talking about a spiritual battle. Remember also that we do not fight with our own strength. If we were to rely on our own strength, we would not have a chance against the principalities of the air. That God promises to have your back. Not because you're perfect. Not because of anything that you have done. But because you belong to him. And know that your God fully is committed to your success. And he has promised always to be there at your side. Turn to Isaiah chapter 41 and verse 10. Fear not, for I am with you. Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. Yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. Here's a principle that we can take great comfort in. As he did with Job, he also deals with us. We can always remember that God sets the limits on Satan and his demons on that, what they are able to do to you and I. God deals according to us, to our faith. Our love and our measure of spirit, His Holy Spirit within us. By faith, We need to allow what he puts upon us because we must always remember. It is because of his love for us and his dedication to us. That these things do come on us. We also must always remember is because of his sovereignty and mercy and grace and judgment. He's always going to make the right decisions for us. We may not see it that way, but he knows exactly what is best for us. And when we think about it this way, it's more easy to discern and suffer through these different circumstances. God's sovereignty assures us that there is nothing that happens without his knowledge. Everything passes through his hand. Everything he ordains. No matter what it is. It's also because it's a part of his plan for you. And brethren We do not know the spiritual battles that are being waged behind the scenes. Please turn to Luke chapter 22, please. Luke chapter 22. Now here is another glimpse. Into the spiritual realm. Uh, if you were to doubt whether God considers you personally, if you wonder if Satan is still going before God in heaven, I'd say the answer is yes. When we look here in the New Testament, Here in Luke 22, we can look at the life of Peter. And we look at verse 31 and the heading here is Jesus predicts Peter's denial. Verse 31, and, and the Lord said, Simon, Simon, indeed, Satan has asked for you. That he may shift you as wheat. Here again, Satan is appearing in the presence of God. And this time he's asking to touch the life of Peter. Now, in this situation, It's not God suggesting the test. It is Satan asking God to lower the heads around Peter, that he may personally attack him. And of course, Satan realized that Peter was a chosen one to lead the 12. To lead that early church. Remembering that Satan can do nothing though without the express permission of the Almighty God to do anything. And so Satan was asking permission to touch the life of Peter. Asking God to lower that hedge of protection. And then it use that word sift. The word sift means to separate. Satan wanted to separate Peter from God. Jesus acknowledges that Peter would face a severe trial and would be tested. And that, and that's what Satan did. He pressured Peter To a point where he almost broke. Satan's goal was to expose Peter's weaknesses. Then we read in verse 32. I prayed for you. That your faith should not fail. And when you have returned to me, strengthen your brethren. These words should have sent a chill. Through, through Peter, all the way to the bone. But instead, he says, in verse 33, Lord, I'm ready to go with you both to prison and to death. At this point Peter was still unable to see Satan's power and influence. Peter thought he could hold up under the pressure. But he could not. In verse 34, says, I tell you, Peter, the rooster shall not crow this day before you have denied 3 times that you know me. Here it is again, that heavenly conversation. Satan asked that had to be lowered. And that he could shake up Peter's Peter's life, and he did. And what did Peter do? He panicked under the pressure of this trial. He did deny Christ 3 times. And I'll tell you, I believe that this hit Peter hard, and he realized that he had sinned against God. You know, Jesus Christ knew. How Peter would react and his level of con conversion at that moment. Peter did not ask. Jesus said, he prayed for Peter. And that his faith would not fail. Jesus did not try to stop the trial. They prayed for, for him. Jesus knew also that he would fail the trial cause he says he knew better, cause he knows better, he knows him, he knows us better than we know ourselves. Also though, Jesus said, and when you have returned to me, Jesus knew that he would bounce back cause he said, then strengthen your brothers. Peter's failure and recovery would help prepare him to lead the early church. Again, Jesus did not pray. That he might avoid the trial. He prayed that he would survive the trial. And that night, Again, that Peter emotionally, probably somewhat fell apart. It was a bit broken. But he was not destroyed. He returned. He was restored. And he was the rock of that early church. What about us? When the enemy asked to sift you, when Satan asked to touch you like Peter. And I, we have an advocate. In Jesus Christ. The trials, the sufferings, they will come. But no. That Jesus Christ is not silent. He is stepping into the conversation. He is pleading your case. Just as I said in that last sermon. When you fall, get back up. Keep pushing forward He is doing his part. Jesus Christ is doing his part. To keep your faith together, especially when we are emotionally falling apart. Whenever God lowers that hedge around our lives. He hasn't forgotten us. He hasn't deserted us. Instead, he is preparing you for his kingdom. He is using, he is allowing the enemy. Even though they have malicious intentions, he is using them to help you produce endurance, character. And hope Satan may think that he's destroying you. Again, God is actually using him to train you. So if you're going through a trial, tests, persecutions. Know that you're not a victim of random circumstances. I know it's hard to fathom. But you are the subject. of heavenly conversations. And know the one controlling the degree of your trials loves you. So great, but because you are the apple of his eye. And we must trust the hand that is sovereign over this creation. And he will bring you through it. Remember, There is a tremendous spiritual battle going on around us continuously that we can't see. And God wants us to know that we are not fighting this battle alone. Please turn to Ephesians chapter 6. Well-known scriptures here. Ephesians chapter 6, verse 10 to 13. This is the whole, whole armor of God. It says in verse 10, finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For you do not Wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against the host, the spiritual host of wickedness in heavenly places. Therefore, take up the whole armor of God that you may be able to withstand in the evil day and haven't done all to stand. Again, we get this glimpse into the spiritual realm. And this tells us our warfare against Satan and his demons. And that we are in the, in the midst of this warfare. And there will be trials. There will be suffering. And we must be prepared to go through this battle. I'd like to read a quote from John Reitenbaugh from the sermon that he gave on the Christian fight, part two, regarding these verses. He said Quote, the Bible makes it clear that God has willed that this warfare. is an absolute necessity for the development and the preparation of his children to live in his in his family kingdom. It cannot be avoided. We cannot remain neutral. In one sense, we really have no choice. We must either fight or be lost, unquote. In I Corinthians chapter 10 and verse 13. It says no temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man, but God is faithful. He will never allow you to be tempted beyond what you're capable of. You will be tempted. There will be temptations, but he will make a way of escape. You will be able to bear it. And providing a way of escape, you can complete your test. We do not have to give in to sin. We can obey God in every circumstances. And our responsibility is to maintain a proper attitude and perspective at all times. Not expecting God to do things for us that we can do for ourselves, but waiting patiently and faithfully while God chooses the right moments to intervene. Every time Satan does something to us, He thinks he's creating a problem for us. All he's really doing though is helping God develop his character. In you He knows what we lack. And he knows what type of stress to put on you, to strengthen you. And remember it again, I'll say it over again. Satan can do nothing more than what God permits. He is powerless unless God pulls back the hedge. Therefore, when trials come, Even to death We must know that that trial is no greater than God will allow. us to endure. Again, I do not think our story is dramatic as as Job's was. Yeah Our problems and our pain are no less real. And we may not be able to see the purposes of God's plan at that moment. But his grace must be sufficient for us. And you can rest in his providence and confidence that he is good and that he is faithful. Perhaps the most difficult part of trials. Is not being able to see the outcome. We cannot, we are not, oftentimes we cannot see how it's going to turn out. All we can do is trust. All we can do is trust in God that the end will come. And if you look back to James, he has. Some important words here. You know, there is only one place in the New Testament that Job is actually mentioned. And so, please turn to James chapter 5. Versus 10 and 11. Verse 10 My brethren Take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord as an example of suffering and patience. Indeed, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord, that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful. James tells us to remember Job. Just like Job, who recognized that God was in absolute control, and he trusted him unconditionally, we must do the very same thing. In the end, God returned the blessings to Job twofold. The mercy and compassion of the Lord became evident in Job. And everyone around him Yes God will lower the hedge that's around you, and you will be tested. Tried and there will be suffering. But remember that our loving God will never put more on you than you can handle. Know that you are loved, known, claimed, defended in the high courts of heaven. Do not fear the trials. See them as proof that the Almighty knows you. He trusts your strength. He trusts That you will bear his name in battle. So stand firm. Hold your faith Be the person of whom God can say. Have you considered my servant? Insert your name there.
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