"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING ADVERSITY"

"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE FACING ADVERSITY" 

Job 2:10 But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips.

Ec 7:14* In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him.

Some explanatory thoughts and application:

1. When Job was facing his adversity, he stood firm in his understanding of God's goodness. See Job 2:10. Notice what he said. "Shall we we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?. 

2. Job understood that he was not a special person who would only have the good and not the bad come his way.

3. The word adversity here means, wickedness, mischief, hurt, bad, trouble, malignant, unpleasant, giving pain, evil, sad, hurtful and unhappy. Those words, sure sound familiar and are a great expression of what can come into our lives. 

4. Job's response, was, "Shall we not accept etc, " the word accept means, to receive, hold, undertook. Job was very pliable, and non resistant to the things that God allowed into his life. What a tremendous example he is to us. 

5. Finally, there is much wisdom for us in Ec 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other, So that man can find out nothing that will come after him. When things are going well, you are prospering, the Lord, He says to be joyful. But, if you are in the day of adversity, to consider. It means to look at, to inspect, to perceive.
Here's how it reads in the NLT Ec 7:14 Enjoy prosperity while you can,but when hard times strike, realize that both come from God. Remember that nothing is certain in this life.
And, in the Amplified version. Ec 7:14 In the day of prosperity be joyful, but in the day of adversity consider that God has made the one side by side with the other, so that man may not find out anything that shall be after him.

A prayer:

Lord, thank You that Your wisdom is greater then ours. And, thank You that we can look to Your word for all the things that come our way in life. One thing is certain, You are in control of all things, and we find such comfort in You teaching us how to deal with what You allow in our lives. Your Word sets us straight. It gives us comfort, and understanding and helps us to patiently endure.
We love You Lord. In Jesus' name.

Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia