You will be secure, because there is hope; you will look about you and take your rest in safety. You will lie down, with no one to make you afraid, and many will court your favor. Job 11:18-19
Zopar, another friend of Job, decided to speak up and say some things to Job. He stated that Job must repent of his sins, trusting that God knows what those sins are. Once that is done Job would be able to rest peacefully and have the needed hope. There would be no one to make him afraid anymore.
There is truth in the need to repent of any sins in order to get peace. However, that peace and security in only between the person that repented and God. Repentance of sins does not automatically mean peace with other people.
When a person repents of sins, Satan sets up a campaign to trip him up back into sinning again. He will mount out an all out attack on his life to pull him away from God. Looking from the eyes of this world, that is not peace, nor security.
Job had done nothing wrong to cause God to allow the attacks that were going on in his life. There was no great sin committed to bring on destruction. God was allowing the attacks to prove Job’s faithfulness.
You may be going through some attacks in your life. If you have already repented of all sins and are trusting Jesus with your life, you will have peace and security with God. You will know that God is in full control of everything that is happening in your life.
The story of your life does not end with this life. Everything can be destroyed and taken in this life, but you will still have everything and eternal life coming to you. You will have hope in what Jesus has promised you.
As you lie down, you will have rest because you know God is in control. The world may or may not give you favor. Most likely the world will still be against you. Satan does not want you to be at peace or at rest. He, using the world, is out to destroy you. Your real security and rest comes in Jesus alone.
I pray today that you will have peace with God; that you will trust God’s control of your life; that God will remove fear of this world from your heart; and that you will serve God with all of your life.
Love this statement: “God was allowing the attacks to prove Job’s faithfulness.” Another one I think of from Psalm 119:67-72 – “Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey Your Word.” In His faithfulness He afflicts those He loves. This statement impacted me greatly during affliction, to see it in a completely different light. Thanks for sharing!
A lot of it is just a matter of perspective-either God’s long view or our short view. Glad it helped you.
Amen! Perspective makes all the difference!