WHEN GOD SEEMS SO WICKED OR DOES NOT SEEM TO CARE (PART 2)

3. A test of faith – The example of Job in Job 1-42 And he who overcomes, and keeps My works to the end, to him will I give power over the nations: Revelation 2:26 - Job was subjected to multiple afflictions just to determine the limit of his faithfulness to God! - His servants (staff) were killed by raiders who stole his 500 yoke of oxen and 500 donkeys. 1:15 - Fire consumed all his 7,000 sheep as well as some of his servants. 1:16 - Another band of raiders made away with his 3,000 camels and also killed some of his servants. 1:17 - His 7 sons & 3 daughters were all killed in a collapsed building. 1:18-19 ALL OF THESE HAPPENED TO JOB IN ONE DAY! - He was afflicted with painful boils from head to foot. 2:7-8 - To make matters worse, his wife tongue-lashed him for his faithfulness to God in the midst of their woes. 2:9-10 - Even his closest friends castigated him and presumptuously blamed his misfortunes on his sins - But Job kept the faith in the midst of it all and forgave all who had unjustly criticised him. - And God restored all he had lost to him double-fold. 42:10-17 SOME ATTRIBUTES OF GOD God is Omniscient - Job 24:1, Hebrews 4:13 God is Immutable – He does not change - James 1:17 God is Just - Deuteronomy 32:4 (KJV) God is Merciful - Lamentation 3:22-23 God is Faithful - 2 Timothy 2:11-13, Lament 3:23 God is Good, and does good - Psalm 119:68 God is Caring - 1 Peter 5:7 HOW TO GET OUT OF THE “GOD DOES NOT CARE” TRAP Do a Soul-searching, then Repent from and Forsake Sinful Habits – Proverbs 28:13 Be Prayerful – Philippians 4:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:17 Have a Change of Perspective – know that it could have been worse Develop a Habit of Thanksgiving – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Have a Change of Attitude – Count it ALL Joy! – James 1:2-4