The Thing Which I Greatly Feared ( a message by Brother Ken Jacques)
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
Job 3:25
Introduction – The book of Job deals with the mystery of suffering in the lives of godly believers. From biblical times unto the present, many have held the belief that our experience in this life is always directly proportional to our dedication to God, and our holiness of life. The frequent and oft severe sufferings of the most godly christians raises serious questions about this belief. In addition, it is the consistent teaching of the scriptures that it is often the will of God that we suffer. Peter, in 1 Peter 4:19, makes this clear when he wrote ‘Let them that suffer according to the will of God commit the keeping of their souls to him in well doing as unto a faithful creator‘. Jesus also contradicted this idea on the part of his disciples in John 9:3 ‘Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned, nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him’. Their understanding was that suffering is always the direct result of some sin in the life of that individual. Now, there is no doubt that much of our suffering is the result of chastening for sin, or simply the consequences of our sins working in our lives….but, it is not always so! Often, as in Job’s case, and in the case of the blind man in John 9, it is for the glory of God, and the good of the individual. Job, in our text, is thinking about his tribulations, and trying to understand their cause…not a bad idea! But he makes a statement in the text verse that bears further study ‘the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me’. In our study, let’s consider the:
PERSON
Notice in Job chapter 1, Job is described as:
1. GOOD – In Job 1:1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil. We read of Job that he was ‘perfect and upright’. The word ‘perfect‘ here means ‘complete’, or the best that you can be. Oh that each of us were the best he or she could be. Our potential for God is so great, but few really try to live up to it. Job was one man who did! The word ‘upright’ literally means ‘straight’. In other words, he was as straight as an arrow!
2. GODLY – Also in v.1, we see that he ‘feared God and eschewed evil’. A reverence for God is necessary if we are to have a right relationship with him. The word ‘eschewed‘ comes from a root word in Hebrew which means ‘to turn off’, or ‘turn away from’. No wonder God could trust Job with such suffering, he was ‘turned off‘ by evil.
3. GREAT – Job was called ‘the greatest of all the men of the east’. Among his contemporaries, there was no man greater than Job in any respect. He had great riches, a great family, great reputation, and a great faith in God.
4. GUARDED – In v.8-10, we find that he was protected by God, there was ‘a hedge about him’, and about all that were his. Satan could only request permission to touch him.
This description recorded in the scriptures certainly qualifies Job as a godly man in the sight of God. If any man could escape all suffering by godliness, it would have been Job. However, he suffered greatly for the glory of God.
POSSIBILITIES
Of all Job’s tribulations, what was it that Job had so greatly feared? There are several possibilities. He could have been referring to his
1. FORTUNE – Job was a rich man, but had lost it all. Some men, even christians, are so wrapped up in their material possessions that the very idea of losing them is unthinkable! They live in dread and fear of some catastrophe that might strip them of their earthly treasures. Money itself is not evil, but as Paul told young Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:10 ‘For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows‘. He might have greatly feared becoming poor, after having such riches.
2. FAMILY – Job had lost all his children in one terrible moment. Any parent who has normal affections fro their children is jealous for their welfare, and is concerned that they might be hurt or worse. It could have been Job’s greatest fear.
3. FRIENDS – In Job 19:19, he lamented ‘All my inward friends abhorred me: and they whom I loved are turned against me’. To some, the disapproval or loss of friends is a mighty serious matter. His friends were convinced he was guilty of sin, and had an unrepentant heart. They called him a hypocrite. It could have been that Job greatly feared losing his friends.
4. FUTURE – Job’s assessment of his future prospects were bleak at best. In chapter 7, verse 21, he says ‘for now shall I sleep in the dust; and thou shalt seek me in the morning, but I shall not be’. It is clear that Job despaired of his life. At this point, all his worldly hopes and dreams were dashed by the storm of his circumstances. Some men rest heavily on their plans and schemes for the future, and are crushed when they don’t work out. It could be that Job had high hopes for the future, and was afraid they would be unrealized.
5. FITNESS – Many dread the prospect of a loss of their physical strength and health. Job experienced a crushing loss of fitness when his infirmities banished him to the ash heap, scraping his boils with shards of pottery. I have seen many strong and healthy individuals who are obsessed with fear that they may lose their strength or health, and be dependent on others. This could have been Job’s concern.
6. FAVOR – Job said in chapter 6, verse 4 ‘for the arrows of the Almighty are within me, the poison whereof drinketh up my spirit’. Job also feared that he had lost God’s favor and blessings, and that he had become his enemy! Was this Job’s great fear?
PROBLEM
The subject here is one of priorities. Job had his priorities, and we must have our own. Having the right priorities in our lives requires constant conflict and wrestling with the flesh. The old man has his priorities, and the new man has his. Our priorities determine that which we desire most, and that which we fear most.
PRIORITY
All the things which Job lost were serious, but only one of the possibilities we considered ought to be first on our list, the loss of God’s favor and blessings. If we lose everything else, we can make it if we have his favor. Consider the consequences of his:
1. APPROVAL – If our ways are pleasing to him, He:
a. Remains in close fellowship with us.
b. Responds to our prayers.
c. Reveals to us his truth.
d. Rescues us from our enemies.
e. Relieves our burdens.
f. Renews our strength.
g. Rewards our faith and commitment.
2. ANGER – If our ways do not please him, he curses. We have:
a. Conflict rather than communion.
b. Conviction rather than peace.
c. Chastening rather than blessings.
Conclusion – Job’s words should ring in our hearts ‘the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me’ Let it be the loss of God’s favor above all else!
Sure
So I’ll be truly sure
God’s blessings will be mine,
Like Job I’ll do my best
to please him all the time.
(Bro. Ken)
Faith Baptist Church of Newborn GA 