09122020 Multiplied Trials

 

Dear Missionary Lady,

Greetings once again in the name of our gracious God. It is my pleasure to again communicate with you some of the truth that He is showing me. I realize that some of you are older and have more maturity and wisdom, and I appreciate your graciousness in receiving my messages and perhaps overlooking things that may not come across just right to you. I know that each message may not strike each person with the same impact, but my prayer is that God will use each one to help someone, and that each of you will feel remembered and cared for.

Lesson #5. Troubles can come cascading one on top of the other.

Out of the clear blue, Job's world was precipitously turned upside down. There Job sat on a completely ordinary day, with blessing and prosperity all around. One of his servants entered the room - not extraordinary in itself. But from that moment, Job's life fell apart piece by piece. In a short time, (perhaps an hour or two, but related to Job in five to ten minutes), he lost everything. The first messenger (1:15-15) told about the oxen and donkeys, all of which were lost when the Sabeans attacked and stole them all. All the accompanying servants were killed except for the messenger.

The second messenger (1:16) had already entered and had to wait for the first man to finish. He told of the sheep. In a frightful event, fire had fallen from heaven and consumed them all. Only one servant escaped that devastation.

The third messenger (1:17) had waited his turn. He told of the camels, captured in an orchestrated raid by the Chaldeans. Again only one servant survived the accompanying slaughter.

This was an unspeakably horrible day in the office. I'm not certain the precise use of each group of animals, but it would seem Job had lost his "tractors," the ability to perform the needed work in his fields. He lost his source of income and his clothing supply. He lost his transportation fleet. He lost all of his employees except four.

Before Job even had time to absorb this overwhelming news or consider its impact, the fourth remaining servant (1:18-19) waited to share his tragic news. A great wind, unnatural in its movement, shattered the house where his ten children were, and they were all lost, along with all the servants but one.

It was only a short time later, perhaps days or weeks, when Satan unleashed yet another horrific attack (2:7), bringing a wretched disease upon Job. He had probably thought that life could not possibly get any worse, but it did.

Our minds are staggered by the story of Job. Sometimes our minds are staggered by our own stories, even though we rarely (if ever) suffer a series of disasters so devastating.

The past half year might be the closest some of us have ever come. The virus itself would be enough. But day after day, as we received new information, the messengers kept giving more bad news. Travel restrictions. Ministry restrictions. Isolation. Reduced liberties. Week after week, the messengers have arrived with additional implications. Bad feelings toward foreigners. Loss of financial support. Canceled trips and ministries. Sick friends. Hampered supply chains. Resentment toward churches. Protests and rioting.

So much has happened in such a short time. And this does not even include the difficulties of normal life or the situations that already existed. Things like personal or family health concerns. The burden of the ministry. Situations with family members back home. Countries on the brink of financial ruin. Unstable political situations. Challenges with the children. Working for the stability of new believers.

And for some, additional unrelated events have been added on. I think of the country of Lebanon and the devastating explosion that not only destroyed buildings and took lives, but also greatly affected supply lines, food reserves, medical access, and more, as well as upheaval of the government.

What good can it possibly do to consider all the layers of pain? How is this truth helpful, that troubles can pile on top of each other to profound levels? Honestly, there would seem to be no hope in this knowledge if we did not know the rest of the story of Job or if we did not have the rest of the Bible. But because we do, there are things we know. The verses referenced below all refer to trials in abundance.

First, multiplied trials are not unusual. They do not make us unique. They are not a sure sign that we must be facing God's displeasure. No, sometimes God does ordain situations like this even for His faithful children. (II Corinthians 7:5)

Second, God is doing His work through them. Sometimes it is the combination of trials that perfectly accomplishes what would not happen through just one or two. (James 1:2-4, I Peter 1:6-7)

Third, God never leaves us, even when trials multiply. He gives His help and comfort. (II Corinthians 7:6, II Corinthians 1:5)

Fourth, even in the midst of multiplied trials, we are not completely in despair. It may be very hard for us, but we have foundational truth and hope in God that can sustain us. (II Corinthians 4:8-9)

Fifth, no matter how hard and how many our trials are, God can deliver in His way and in His time. There is an answer coming sometime. (II Timothy 3:11)

No matter what happens, God is still God. He is still in control. He still cares. He is still enough. Job responded to his multiplied trials with worship: "Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD" (1:21).

May God bless you this week, my sisters, and give you all the grace you need.

Love in Christ,

Peggy Holt

member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA