READY for Trouble?
By: Maxine M.

Ever studied the book of Job? What a treasure house of wisdom for us today
God declared him a blameless & upright servant…in return; God blessed him in every way
The book tells how DAILY he prayed for his children, lest they should stray

How his employees were happy, how he helped the fatherless & widows, gave to the poor
Was hospitable to strangers…his home policy was an “open” door
How he walked in honesty & humility, feared his Creator…any form of evil he’d abhor

Yes!! He was very successful…a prosperous wealthy man indeed
A greatly respected community leader…a moral way of life his creed
A wonderful example for us all, IF we just follow his lead

But Satan was jealous (his very nature) of God & Job’s relationship
Asking, “Does he serve you for nothing? Take Your hand away, let him know adversity’s whip
Of everything he holds dear…finances, reputation, children…completely strip”

But when Job still retained his integrity, Satan said…put his body under attack
When its “personal”, any man’s faith will begin to crack
Especially when a spouse or friends, for any empathy or encouragement, LACK

Job didn’t realize the trouble that followed was God’s ultimate test
The Father’s way of showing Satan the Way of Righteousness is best
And that a TRUE follower will cling to His promise of Eternal rest

So, WHAT has Satan asked God for PERMISSION to take from you?
What personal trouble has this evil one started to brew?
Was his 1st step to draw you away from the church pew?

Has he taken away your job, retirement account, all hope of financial gain?
Slowly invaded your healthy body…each new day bring pain?
You try to resist, but OH, it takes such an emotional drain

Has he somehow removed the people you once relied upon for support?
Your expectations of family & friends have now fallen short?
Perhaps through death, distance, apathy or a marriage dissolved in a divorce court?

For STRONG family ties are a THREAT to his cunningly purposed objective
He’d much rather see fighting & misunderstanding from his evil perspective
If allowed, he’ll drive “wedges” between spouses & parents/children and make them effective

What if he takes your confidence in your country…destroys civic pride?
Or asks God to remove our ability to do those things we ONCE easily took in stride?
Can he make us mistrust the Creator, like he did Eve…oh, how he lied!

He’ll craftily try to steal the very joy that once welled up inside
Like Job, make you curse the day of your birth…in the grave want to hide
Even demand your time & energy so service to Christ will be denied

Job desperately wanted to know WHY his trouble came, but in review said God is just & fair
Yes!! God had permitted grief, but Job had always been in the Lord’s care
Possessions, family, health had been taken, but his LIFE Satan HAD to spare

And when the “TEST” was over, Job repented of his complaining & doubt
His latter days were blest…an exciting new beginning started to sprout
Although he was never told what the troubles, trial and testing were all about

And, we too, may never know the “why” of the trouble life may bring
We only have the certainty of His promises to which we cling
Like Job said, “When He has tried me, I’ll come forth as gold”…ready to serve the King

One day, Satan will be forever silenced…no longer able to cleverly debate
For when the trumpet blows, announcing the eternal Glory that will await
Our LOSSES will be forgotten…joy, happiness, contentment, the Lord will fully reinstate!