Behold My Beloved

Did you know satan has more than one name? He is also referred to as “the accuser of our brethren” (Revelation 12:10). He watches and interferes in our lives. He keeps a record of our every mistake, every bad word, every rebellious action. He then goes to God with his record and tattles (as if God does not already know). 

As seen in Job, he even goes to God and asks to wreak havoc in the lives of the righteous. God sometimes allows this to strengthen our faith but also because He knows how deep our faith is and wants to encourage others with it. No human being on earth went through the tragedy that Job did. He lost his livestock, his home, his children and even his health. His wife mocked his integrity and told him to curse God. Yet he still did not denounce God. What he did was implore God to give him understanding for the cause of his afflictions and for mercy. Job does not turn to his own reasoning or the reasoning of his 3 friends. Rather he rebukes them for their fleshly advice. Job does not know why he is enduring this grief, but prostrates himself before God. He tells God how much he loves Him.

Long story short, God tells Job’s friends they must make a sacrifice because of the way they behaved when Job was being tested and that Job must pray for them. Only with Job’s intercession would God’s wrath be withheld from them.

After Job prayed for them God restored all Job had lost in double including his children. Job lived to be 140 years old.

By relating this story I would like you to understand that adversity is not always a punishment for some action or lack of action. Rather it could be a testing God allows because He sees your heart and knows He will be glorified through it. Sometimes adversity is actually a time for God to say “this is my beloved. Go ahead and test him/her. I know he/she will not turn from me but our relationship will only be strengthened.” Wow. What a honor!

Jesus warns us that adversity will come but to take heart because by the blood He shed, this world has been overcome. Even should we die in the physical we will live forever in Heaven if we do not love this life more than we love Him.

Riding the whirlwind of God’s grace, love and mercy

L

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”

John 16:32-34
Indeed the hour is coming, yes, has now come, that you will be scattered, each to his own, and will leave Me alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.”