God’s relationship with Job was a unique one and he was someone who was upright before God. God bragged about Job’s faithfulness to the adversary. “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil” (Job‬ ‭1:8‬)? The enemy commented on the hedge of protecting which God had placed around Job and the blessings which God had on Job’s life.

I notice from the text that the Devil needed God’s permission to touch Job and God allowed him to touch Job’s possession, but his life the enemy could not take away. It is a controversial story, the one of Job’s, because why would God cause him to be tested so greatly. I imagine that God knew that Job could handle it and he trusted that no matter what Job had lost, that he would continue to serve him. This is why God not only restored what Job had, but restored twice as much as Job had before (Job 42:10). Most of us don’t want to be tried or tested in the way that Job was and many of us won’t experience that degree of testing. Nevertheless we experience trials in this life, but our assurance is that God has placed a hedge of protection around us.

As we stay in the presence of God, we abide under his shadow. God is our refuge and fortress and he will deliver and shelter us, so we do not fear the terror by night nor the arrow that flies by noon. We don’t fear pestilence or destruction because angels stand a guard around us. Psalm 91 paraphrased.

There is a hedge of protecting around you which the enemy need God’s permission to cross. Although God allowed Job’s affliction, the enemy could not destroy his life because God knew that once Job had been faithful that he would bless his latter years with far more than what he had before. Our assurance is that even if we experience tribulations, that God will preserve our lives and restore anything lost or stolen.

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Jesus scolded Peter after he pulled his sword and chopped off the ear of one of the servants of the high priest who had come to arrest Him. “Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels” (Matthew 26:52-53)? Jesus needed Peter to know that his decision to surrender to the high priest and the servants and to allow them to arrest him was because he sought to do the will of God.

Strength under restraint is what Jesus exercised and humility in knowing that he had the power to overthrow and destroy the people who had come to crucify him. Yet not lifting a finger to retaliate but being obedient in submitting to God’s will. His time in prayer before his arrest was to plead with God if per chance there was another way to bring about salvation. “nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done,” is what Jesus said (Luke 22:42).

In other words Jesus was saying, Lord I know that this is what I was born to do and I know that this is your perfect plan. But if there is a chance that I can escape it please let me know. I know I am asking you, but despite my asking please know that I will do what you want me to do.

Did we ever consider that obedience is linked with humility. Our willingness to surrender our will to God and to do what he says even when it feels uncomfortable. Even when obedience feels like our flesh is being crucified because we have to go against what is our natural desire and instinct.

This humility and obedience leads to exaltation and God being pleased with our sacrifice. Humility and obedience isn’t always easy and we need the strength of God to do his will. But when we walk in the will of the Lord and humble ourselves to his purpose, then he will exalt us. “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:9).

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Paul reminds us that we cannot run a race with our gaze focused on what is behind us. There are seasons to mourn and to remember past wrongs. To not acknowledge past wrongs and to find a resolution is to live in denial. Nevertheless, there is a season to mourn, to remember and make peace with our past. At the end of that season, we have to make an effort to leave those things behind and to press forward.

Some painful memories are hard to forget and it is important to remember the lessons so that we do not repeat the mistakes. There are times when we need to confide in someone about painful memories. A counsellor is able to provide support and bring closure to unresolved trauma. It is constantly reliving the injustice that keeps us from living a full life. You cannot move forward with your head stuck in the past or run a good race with your gaze focused in the opposite direction.

Pray and confess the sins and wrongdoings of the past. Accept your part in any wrongs that you may have contributed to. And where you were wronged pray the prayer of forgiveness. You are not doing anyone a favor when you forgive, but you are setting yourself free to live. You cannot run your race with the heavy weight of unforgiveness. “Let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2).

It takes faith to trust that what God has in store in the future, is better than what we experienced in the past. It is dwelling on past wrongs that creates anxieties about the future. God has a good plan in store for us and our past does not define our future. You can start today to trust God and allow him to create a path for you. Stay connected to God. Trust in him and believe that he has a good plan and future in store for you.

“I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus”(Philippians 3:14).

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Peter and John had been arrested by the religious leaders, because they preached about Jesus Christ in the temple. Now leading up to their arrest, Peter and John had commanded to be healed in the Name of Jesus Christ, a man who had been lamed from birth. The people were amazed at the miracle which had occurred as the man entered the temple, leaping and praising God. And as the people gathered around Peter and John, they saw this as an opportunity to tell people about the power in the name of Jesus (Acts 3:4-26).

What I like about this story is that, the disciples didn’t see the amazement from the people as an opportunity to gloat or to take the glory for themselves. They used it as an opportunity to boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. Let us be ready when God has done great things through us, to tell people about the power of Jesus Christ. The disciples’ arrest did not create any fear or intimidation in them. In fact they spoke with even greater boldness because the source of their power and strength was not external but internal.

Peter and John were full of the Holy Spirit and proclaimed that salvation comes through no other name but Jesus. The religious leaders were concerned that they spoke about Jesus Christ. These were the same leaders who caused Jesus to be crucified. So imagine how distressed they must have been, to learn that this could not stop the spread of his fame. They were too worried about the response from the people who were amazed by the miracle, to do any harm to Peter and John. So they warned them not to speak any more in the name of Jesus. Peter does not concede and then the warnings turned to threats. (Acts 4:1-22)

Peter and John went and reported to their friends and other believers what happened in the temple. Their response was to pray and to ask God for even greater boldness. “And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness.” So powerful were their prayers that the foundations of the house where they prayed was shaken and they were full of the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:29-31).

I pray that in this season, God will continue to shake the foundations of our homes, schools and places of work. That we will be full of boldness to proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ and to speak of the power in his name.

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Bear in mind that sometimes when you are closest to your promise, the enemy may create challenges to discourage you from moving forward. When the children of Israel were close to the promised land, they had to defeat the giants to take possession. There were two reports about the inhabitants, after the spies were sent out to view the land. One set of spies saw the inhabitants as giants and themselves as grasshoppers, but Joshua and Caleb saw themselves as giants and the inhabitants as grasshoppers (Number 13-14).

It often depends on our perspective and how we see our problems, compared to how we see God who is with us. Joshua and Caleb declared that they were well able to overthrow the inhabitants and take the land. The other spies gave an evil report which discouraged the people. The people were so distraught by the bad report, that they cried and wanted to stone Moses, Joshua and Caleb. They even suggested appointing a captain and returning to Egypt (Numbers 14:14). We have to be careful who we listen to when we are faced with a trial and a major decision.

This unbelief from the people grieved God and although Moses interceded on their behalf, God declared that they would not enter the promised land, because of their unbelief and rebellion (Numbers 14:20-38). It is unfortunate that they failed the last mission towards gaining the promise. Sometimes we can be so close to our breakthrough and the clouds of doubt and fear can cause us to complain and murmur against God. We are human and some doubt is acceptable, but don’t stay in that place of unbelief for too long.

Believe the report of the Lord and stand on his promises. If God says you are going to gain the promise, then believe and don’t become despondent when you face trials. We are well able to overtake the giants and take possession. “Joshua, no one will be able to defeat you as long as you live. I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will always be with you; I will never abandon you” (Joshua‬ ‭1‬:‭5‬).

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The story of Joseph the Dreamer, is a popular one in the bible, as we follow his story from being his father’s favourite son to being sold into slavery. Joseph is then appointed to work in Potiphar’s house and we see Joseph operating in favour. So favoured was Joseph, that Potiphar put him in charge of everything in his house.

Even Potiphar’s wife had such great admiration for Joseph, that she was determined that she had to have him. Joseph’s refusal and determination to remain steadfastly committed to God landed him in prison. Potiphar’s wife was angry that Joseph continued to spurn her advances and made up a lie to get him in trouble.

Joseph ended up in jail, but not just any jail. He ends up in the jail where the King’s prisoners were kept. And what happened when Joseph is in jail? He found favour again with the guard who left all of the decision making to him. We know how the story ended, where Joseph was later called to interpret the King’s dream and he is once again promoted to the highest rank in Egypt, after the King. It turned out that the lie from Potiphar’s wife, set the scene for Joseph to end up in a prison, where he would meet the King’s servants. What a way for God to turn a negative situation into an amazing opportunity.

The point of this story is that favour, goodness and mercy follows us wherever we go. When we trust God, it does not matter where we end up, because God is with us. When he goes with us, favour will make our way prosperous and even a prison stay can result in a palace meeting. Be encouraged that God will never leave you and trust in his favour to preserve you. “Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there” (Psalm 139:7-8)!

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What God wants is our heart and our desire to be in relationship and right standing with him. There are many spiritual disciplines such as fasting, going to church and loving our neighbours which are good for us to practice and are biblical prescriptions. However, God is ultimately interested in the contents of our heart and our motives and desires. “For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart”” (1 Samuel 16:7).

We see God having relationships with bible prophets who he shared his mind and his thoughts with and with whom he had constant fellowship. God showed Moses ahead of time what he planned to do in Egypt and allowed Moses to see how Pharaoh would respond (Exodus 3).

Abraham could hear God speak and heeded his instructions to leave his country and to go where God was leading him (Genesis 12:1). God spoke to prophets through dreams, visions and angels were sent to deliver messages to his people. At other times, it was clear that prophets such as Samuel and Moses heard God audibly (Numbers 12:8; 1 Samuel 3).

David was King and referred to in Acts as a prophet who had an intimate relationship with God and prophesied of the resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:29-31). David’s Psalms were mainly dedicated to intimate worship and he spoke of his soul longing after God as the deer panting for water (Psalm 42:1). Other times David described a relationship where he and God were inseparable. “Where shall I go from thy Spirit? Or where shall I flee from thy presence” (Psalms 139:7)?

You don’t need to be a prophet to cultivate intimacy with God. If you spend time in his presence in prayer and worship with a desire to know him more, then you can grow closer to God. He wants to reveal himself to us and to help us to understand who he is. There is so much that we can learn about God when we constantly seek his face and when we stay in his presence.

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Jesus’s disciples had a question for him, about who was the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Jesus called a child and placed the child in their midst and stated, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 18:3-4).

Many of us aspire to gain promotion and prominence and it is a good thing to work to maximise our full potential. Greatness however, requires humility and the life long pursuit of wisdom and understanding. The understanding that, no matter how learned and educated we are, that there is always more that we can learn.

It is a mistake to ever think, that we are in a position where we know enough, or cannot learn from others. The Holy Spirit was sent to us, as a Comforter and Teacher to reveal things we do not know. “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come” (John 16:13).

It is the fool who says in his heart, that there is no God and who relies on his own wisdom and foolishness as his guide. When Solomon was appointed King, his prayer to God was to gain wisdom, in order to lead and govern the people. God granted Solomon’s request, and also granted him wealth and honour. God also promised Solomon long life, as long as he obeyed Him and walked in righteousness (1 Kings 3: 5-14).

We have to trust God in everything that we do and seek his wisdom and guidance, to direct our footsteps. We need to also submit to wise council, as God will place people in our lives with experience and wisdom, who can offer guidance. We need remain humble and receptive, to the leading of the Holy Spirit and always remain teachable. “Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed” (Ecclesiastes‬ ‭10‬:‭10‬).

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Oppression relates to feeling burdened by emotions such as anxiety and fear. Oppression can also take the form of depression or exaggerated fears. God extends healing to the soul, body and spirit. He is concerned with our emotional state and he wants us to be free of worry and torment. In Luke, Jesus quoted from Isaiah’s writing in the Old Testament. The writings also made reference to binding up the broken hearted (Isaiah 61:1).

Difficulties from our past can leave us feeling broken hearted and crushed. Emotional, physical and other forms of abuse leaves scars that cannot he seen by the physical eyes. People shield the pain through insecurities and other excesses. Knowing who we are in Christ brings freedom and the understanding that our past does not define us. It provides information about where we are coming from but it does not determine our outcome.

A painful past surrendered to God can he used for his glory. We confess our fears and worries to him and allow him to heal our wounds. At times it is necessary to talk to someone about how we have been hurt. A trained counsellor for example, can offer guidance and help us to resolve issues from our past.

“to grant to those who mourn in Zion— to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he may be glorified” (Isaiah 61:3).

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Many of us are in situations right now that feels like a storm, a setback or a major delay. Trials and challenges often drain our time, energy and resources. We have to trust what God says when he assures us, that the work he started in us will be completed until the day of Christ’s return. Moreover, God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him and he is a God of restoration (Hebrews 11:6).

“I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, who has dealt wondrously with you. And my people shall never again be put to shame” (Joel 2:25-26). The bible is full of promises of God’s goodness, favour, blessings and mercy. We also see instances in the bible where there are seasons of tests and trials and then God’s restoration. What I like about restoration is that it is never to what things were before, but God promises to restore times a hundred or a thousand fold.

Saints, we are reaching the other side of this storm and pressing towards the mark of the prize towards the higher calling of God in Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:14). It’s amazing when you know what it feels like to have major restrictions and then you gain freedom. When you have experienced lack, debt and financial limitations, it’s amazing to experience financial freedom. If you have experienced sickness and ill health, walking in divine health is possible. When you know the pain of broken relationships and experienced mistrust and to be misjudged and mishandled, healthy relationships are transformational. When God gives you freedom from these things, nothing will stop you from pressing hard past these stubborn problems, so that they are never likely to overtake you again.

God is faithful and this storm is ending. “For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning” (Psalms‬ ‭30‬:‭5‬).

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