S) "13 They break up my path,
They profit from my destruction;
No one restrains them.
14 "As through a wide breach they come,
Amid the tempest they roll on."
Job 30:13-14 (NASB)
O) It's easy to forget, when I read Job's words about those who opposed him, that these were real people. He had actual enemies, invaders from another land. Evil men came and stole his land, his goods, killed his servants and children. In the passage above, Job wasn't speaking hypothetically, he was speaking reality. The most notable thing, is the imagery Job used, when he said, "As through a breach they come," because that's pretty much exactly what happened. God had placed a hedge of protection around Job (see Job 1), and as soon as there was a breach in that hedge, his enemies struck. What Job didn't see, however, were that these were physical manifestations of spiritual realities. He said "As through..." because there were no physical walls being breached.
A) Many times, I've heard the phrase, "It feels like everything is against me." And what this passage is revealing, is that sometimes that's correct. When things are going wrong in my life, big or small, satan likes to play this game, lying to me about how everything bad is connected. There is a feeling of things snowballing, or spiraling out of control. This passage is showing, that sometimes those feelings are indicating what is actually happening on a spiritual level, I think. It reminds me that my enemy is as real and vicious as he has ever been. In Jesus Christ, I have every victory I need. The LORD protects His servants from myriad unknown dangers (see Isaiah 54:17). However, there is biblical precedent that even Jesus allows testing, by letting the enemy attack as he may (see Luke 22:31-32). So, the next time I feel like everything is against me, I need to accept that it could be real, but spiritual. I need to run, RUN, to my only help, the my Deliverer. It should be an encouragement to know that He is allowing me to be tested, because that means He knows me, knows my affliction, knows my character.
P) Father, Your wisdom and understanding is too much to fathom. I can pretend to know what's good for me, good for my life, but I am simply not qualified to make those kinds of determinations. You are, though. You are my Lord, because You are the only One who is worthy of my devotion. Please open my eyes to see, and my ears to hear, to know when I am actually, spiritually being afflicted, tested, that I may pass. Let me be reminded by the Holy Spirit, of every biblical truth You've said regarding testing, enduring, proving my faith. When I am examined, let me be found faithful, yet not by my strength, but by Yours. Let me believe, in grace, everything You promise. Let Your sovereign will be done. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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