Talk Tuesday-In The Crucible of Trials

When we find ourselves in the crucible of trials and the agony of the refiner’s fire, along come our “well meaning supporters and detractors” to convince us that we must have done some dastardly deeds to stir up the wrath of God upon our lives. Job, a man considered by God to be “blameless and upright, who feared God and shunned evil, (Job 1:8)” faced horrible, denigrating trials. As he endured in utter humility, his face set like flint in reverence to God, along came four “well meaning friends,” accusing him of justly receiving the wages of his sins.

Eliphaz expounds: “Consider now: Who being innocent, has ever perished: Where were the upright ever destroyed:” Job:4:7

Bildad zeroes in: “ If you are pure and upright, Even now He will rouse Himself on your behalf And restore you to your rightful place.” Job 8: 6

Zophar rebukes: “Put away the sin that is in your hand.” Job 11: 14

Then the Lord expressed His anger to Job’s friends: “..because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has….My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken of me what right as my servant Job has. Job 42: 7 – 9

After Job’s trials, the Lord made him prosperous again and gave him twice as much as he had before, “And the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first.” (Job 42”12)

BGO brethren, are you in the Crucible of trials or in the agony of the Refiner’s fire? Do you stand blameless before God? Then do not listen to the lies of your accusers and detractors. Keep your focus on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of your faith, and like Job, God will bless the latter part of your life more than the first!

GUEST WRITER