September 26, 2021
Sermon Series: Going Through Adversity
Book of Job
Sermon # 6
A FAITH THAT WILL NOT BREAK
Job 19:23-29
“Faith does the same against the devil as unbelief does against God.” (John Bunyan)
Introduction: A Lesson in Faith
A man was attempting to cross Canada’s St. Lawrence River in the dead of winter. Unsure if the ice would hold him up, he first tested it by cautiously placing one hand on it. The ice held firm. Then he got down on his knees and began crawling across it, fearful that the ice might crack and drop him into the icy waters. Again, the ice held firm. When he got to the middle of the frozen river, he was trembling with fear as he knew it could break at any moment and he would be pulled below the frozen surface. Then, suddenly, he heard a loud noise that sounded like the ice breaking.
A team of horses bolted onto the ice, pulling a wagon loaded with firewood. While he sat there on all fours, the wagon passed him. He realized that if the ice were solid enough to hold a team of horses with a loaded wagon, it was more than sufficient to hold him until he was safely on the other side.
This is the place where Job found himself. He was at the breaking point, a place where his faith appeared to be ready to collapse under weight of his trials. His debate with his three friends had reached fever pitch, as he felt their fiery condemnation. But what is worse, he felt abandoned by God. If ever there were a time when his faith was faltering on the brink of failure, this was the time. Satan had wagered God that Job’s breaking point would come. But God had declared that Job would not deny him. His saving faith might bend, but it would not break. Going through adversity, Job’s faith might have bend, but it did not break. As we go through adversity, our faith may bend, but it will not break!
In verses 23-29, Job had a resolution of why his faith will not break.
I.
MY WORDS WILL BE RECORDED
v. 23-24
A. From the depths of despair, Job cried out, oh that my words were recorded permanently for all future generations to read. Job’s faith appears at its highest, and he wanted that confidence in the record for all to know. Unknown to him, this would happen---and you are now reading those words from the Bible.
B. Job had a strong desire for his words to be “inscribed” in granite,” so everyone would know that he had not sinned to the extent of his suffering. He wanted his life’s record to be engraved in rock forever.
II.
MY EYES WILL SEE GOD
v. 25-27
(Job’s deep conviction)
A. With a burst of renewed faith in God, Job asserted, “I know that my Redeemer lives.” In the face of his own approaching death, Job believed that God, his Redeemer, would eventually vindicate him. After his death, God would stand upon the earth and show him to be in the right in this matter. Despite the deep despair of his heart, this was a strong statement of faith in God.
B. Job confessed, “And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” In Job’s statement of faith here seem to suggest a bodily resurrection. He believed that he would live again and see God. This reveals a confident trust in God, who would vindicate and reward him on the last day.
C. Job confided, “I myself will see him with my own eyes---I, and not another.” To gaze upon God in all his glory throughout all eternity was the only joy Job desired.
III.
MY LIFE WILL BE VINDICATED
v. 28-29
A. Turning to address his three friends again, Job, (NIV) “If you say, ‘How we will hound him, since the root of the trouble lies in him.’” He acknowledged that his three friends still believed their same theory---that is sin was a cause of his suffering. They believed the problem lay within Job, which was hidden sin in his life.
B. In response to this, Job rebutted, you should fear the sword yourselves. The divine judgment they said would come to him, he concluded, would actually come to them.
In spite of Job’s despair, he remains strong in his faith in the living God.
We are GOING THROUGH ADVERSITY today because of the pandemic crisis. Keep your faith in Jesus the Christ WHO IS OUR REDEEMER!
The Lord Jesus Christ is the ultimate Redeemer who will abolish the “last enemy” death (1 Cor. 15:26).
Responsive Reading: Job 19:23-29
Comentários