KEY PRINCIPLES FROM THIS MESSAGE:

Joy and thanksgiving are very intimately related.

Especially for believers in the Lord Jesus, there's good reason we should always be thankful, for something!!

“My Old Friend Job” – blog 12/6/24
Suffering is nothing more than God’s way of showing His children that His faith endures. Never forget that any suffering that comes your way was ordained by God, to His glory, from eternity past.

“My Old Friend Job” – blog 12/6/24
Job’s response to his friend’s errant assessment reminds me of the adage, “Don’t judge someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Good friends always give each other the benefit of the doubt. The question is, how often are we “good friends”? Be honest. Do we not all have a propensity for judging others while “walking in our own shoes”? You bet. It’s less challenging from within our personal bubble to pass quick judgements on others, so that’s what we do. In those moments, how are we any different than Job’s friends???

“My Old Friend Job” – blog 12/6/24
Faith is a very personal journey. We must respect that in others and give them the space they deserve to work out their own salvation (ala Philippians 2:12).

To whom much is given, much is required! (ala Lk 12:48)

[Expanded version for context] “The one who is forgiven much (“for” + “given” ßref: “basic principle” above), loves much (out of a heart of sincere gratitude and a life of repentance).

“My Old Friend Job” – blog 12/6/24
Job’s faith set him apart to the glory of God. That’s the kind of faith I want and that you should desire, also. Its value is crystallized as it carries us through our most difficult trials (cp. John 14:27, 16:33; Philippians 4:7). We treasure it more than gold. We thank God for it. It’s very personal and not for others to criticize.