How long did Job's torment last.?

[CYBERDOVE]

I was talking to a fairly new christian tonight and she asked me how long did Job's trials last.? For the life of me I could not give her an answer. Every since this lady has become a christian she has had some serious trials, one after another and another. This lady is not thinking of giving up, she realizes that these are satanic attacks. This lady is a wretch undone, and feels she would rather pay on this side of eternity than on the other side. Can anyone please advise me on two things, how long was Job's trials and does she have to pay for pass deeds now even though she has given her life to CHRIST and scriptures to verify, I have my own opinion on the second question, but want to hear yours.-----Thanks----Cyber

 

[Helen]

Hi Cyber,

It is NOT a matter of 'paying' for her past deeds. They are paid for. Period.

HOWEVER, consequences are a different matter. This is the first thing. For example, when my oldest son was young and we gave him his first two-wheeler (bicycle), I instructed him not to ride on our hill, but I would take him to the school yard later in the afternoon to ride.

He disobeyed and tried to tackle the hill, which was quite steep. He crashed. He tore himself up and was in quite a bit of pain and also ruined his brand new bicycle. Neither of those things was a punishment. Just a consequence. Punishment was our refusal to fix his bike, which was beyond repair anyway, or buy him a new one.

If what is happening to your friend does not fall in the category of consequences, then there is something else that would apply to her as a Christian, and it is best explained by Joni Tada in her book "One Step Farther." There she talks about if a jeweler has an incredible diamond, better than all the other jewels he has, he does not display it with all the others. He puts it on a field of black and shines a light onto it.

God's grace is that diamond. Sometimes He allows our lives to become fields of black in order to show the world what His grace is like. If we suddenly became immune to problems when we became Christians, then we would all become Christians for our own sakes, to be free from our problems! However there are times when Christians seem to get the worst of things, and it is then -- in the crunch -- when the world is watching that they either see God's grace in our lives.....or not.

So whatever is happening to her, if you know any female friends of hers (or if you are a female, I can't tell from your cyber name), you need to stick close now and walk with her and pray with her and not be like Job's 'friends', no matter how long her time of 'black' continues. God is not forgetting her, not making mistakes. Help her along if you can. You cannot walk for her, but sometimes it helps if you can walk for a bit with her.

I'm hoping someone else can give you the Scriptures. It is almost 3 in the morning here as I write this. I got up for a pain pill and it is starting to take effect and I need to go back to bed now.

God bless.

Helen

 

[Repent62]

The Bible isn't really clear on how long Job suffered...I think the point of the story was not how long but how MUCH, without giving up faith in God!

As for paying for past deeds...David was forgiven by God for his deeds but he still suffered the consequences from it, not because God wanted to continually ZAP him for what he did, but because the results from it have to play out...that's life.

God has forgiven me for the grievious sin of Sodomy, but because of that past life I have to suffer from the consequences from it...AIDS, and I don't feel the least bit less forgiven because of it! I pray that your friend will remember that with whatever she may face in life...Jesus said He will NEVER leave you nor forsake you!


Covenant Chapel

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Job suffered just long enough to prove God's point.

 

[El_Guero]

POB

That sounds like it has been PREACHED!

 

[Plain Old Bill]

I would say many times by many6 preachers.

 

[CYBERDOVE]

Thank you Helen, POB and REpent for your input. Helen, yes I am female and I am still talking to the new christian,she is fairing very well, praise the LORD, her belief is very strong!!. POB, what u have said sounds abt right, I found no time frame. Repent, bless you for being so frank and strong, your testimony will help many others,

I have discussed David with her and we talked abt for every action, there is a reaction. I went over with her that David,s troubles was not for paying back, but consequences to previous actions, thanks again. Helen, I must say thank you again for the gems that u gave. I will go and get Joni Erickson Tada book for her. Thanks everyone again!!!.