God allowed Job to go through a period of testing, “…the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered My servant Job…a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?” (Job 1:8) The tempting began and 4 different messengers came one after another and told Job that EVERYTHING HE POSSESSED, including sons and daughters were all gone…”Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he FELL TO THE GROUND AND WORSHIPED. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, And naked shall I return there. The LORD GAVE, and the LORD HAS TAKEN AWAY; BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD.” In all this Job DID NOT SIN nor charge God with wrong.” (Job 1:14-22)
Job knew to keep his children covered in prayer, “Job would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts.” THUS JOB DID REGULARLY.” (Job 1:5) Remember, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also MAKE THE WAY OF ESCAPE, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corin. 10:13)
THE ONLY WAY TO TEST OUR LOYALTY TO GOD IS BY HOW WE RESPOND TO TEMPTATION…
-Bill Stockham