Job 42:1-12 NIV
Then Job replied to the Lord “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” After the Lord had said these things to Job, he said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has. So now take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and sacrifice a burnt offering for yourselves. My servant Job will pray for you, and I will accept his prayer and not deal with you according to your folly. You have not spoken the truth about me, as my servant Job has.” So Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite did what the Lord told them; and the Lord accepted Job’s prayer. After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring. The Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the former part. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys.
Additional Scripture References: Ecclesiastes 5:2, Hebrews 10:23, Job 40:6-9, Isaiah 61:7, Psalm 126:1-3
The book of Job is a tough one. In Job’s story we learn about a man who was faithful to God and blessed in all his ways. Then, at some point in his life, God allowed Job to be tested by the devil to the point of losing his possessions, wealth, health and even his own children. To add insult to injury, Jobs' closest friends could not fully empathize with his state of suffering and spoke falsely against God in an attempt to comfort him. Prompted to look for answers, Job questioned God directly, and quickly realized his place in the grand scheme of God and His creation. In the end, God restored all that Job had and literally gave him double for his trouble, proving that our ways are not His ways and it’s not over until it’s over.
God is still writing your story
In challenging moments when we feel God is not near, we must hold fast to the truth of who He is. This can often involve patience in waiting to hear His voice, perseverance to withstand obstacles, and wisdom to hold our tongue when tempted to speak ill of God or our situation. Sometimes the best thing we can do is stop telling God about our situation and ask for strength to listen instead.
Job was able to see God, meaning he was able to speak with certainty of God’s power. It was no longer something he had only heard about, but something he now experienced for himself. Even after losing everything, Job’s life was built on God, and his fortune was restored after he prayed for those who hurt him. When we bless the people who hurt us, compassion and forgiveness start flowing and we make room to receive the full blessings God has in store.
What God wants to say to us is the same thing he told Job. We won’t always understand his plan for our lives but we can always trust his goodness. In the middle of suffering is where God is closest, ready to mold us into the image of his perfect son Jesus. Thank God His divine plan gave us a new story of hope.
Take some time this week to consider a trial you recently overcame. What did God teach you? What can you learn from studying the book of Job regarding your difficult season?
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VOUS High is youth community of VOUS and we are creating a space for middle schoolers to gather for service every Sunday.
Students will start with worship in the main auditorium and then be dismissed to their junior high space. This will be a moment to connect with other students, hear a message, and then discuss in small groups.
For more information and to RSVP your student, click here
Join us at the annual ILMC Thanksgiving Bash to distribute meal kits and turkeys. Also, bring a chair and cheer on your favorite team at our annual VOUS Bowl.
To serve, click here
Date: Saturday, November 23rd
Time: 9:00AM - 12:30PM
Location: Charles Hadley Park
1350 NW 50th St
Miami, FL 33142
Ready to kick off Thanksgiving with a burst of energy and community? Join us bright and early at Peacock Park for the VOUS 10K Turkey Trot! Whether you're a runner, a walker, or somewhere in between, this is a chance to start your day with some fresh air, great friends, and all-around fun! See you at the starting line!
To sign up for the Turkey Trot, click here
Date: Thursday, November 28th
Time: 6:00AM
Location: Peacock Park
2820 McFarlane Rd.
Miami, FL 33133
On Sunday, December 1st we're bringing our annual Tree Lighting tradition to both our SoMi and Miami Gardens Locations! Sign up to serve and join us for a night of fun! Invite your friends and let's welcome the Christmas season together!
Please note: There will not be a 6PM service at VOUS City. Instead, join us at VOUS Miami Gardens for the 6PM service, followed by the tree lighting celebration.
Date: December 1st
Time: 7:30PM
Location:
VOUS Miami Gardens
17801 NW 2nd Ave
Miami, FL 33169
VOUS SoMi
6767 Sunset Dr
South Miami, FL 33143
To serve, click here
VOUS SoMi
8:45AM / 10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS City
10:30AM / 12:30PM / 6PM
VOUS Miami Gardens
10:30AM / 12:30PM
VOUS Design District
10:30AM / 12:30PM
Church Online
10AM / 5PM Español
Growth Track
After every service or join online at vouschurch.com/growthtrack