THE PERFECT STORM  

Job 23:11  My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Job 23:12  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food].   

Job was in the storm of his life!  It began something like this.   

Job 1:6  Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them. Job 1:7  And the LORD said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  Job 1:8  , Hand the LORD said unto Satanist thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? Job 1:9  Then Satan answered the LORD, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:10  Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. Job 1:11  But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 1:12  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath [is] in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD. The Storm begins . Isa 29:6  Thou shalt be visited of the LORD of hosts with thunder, and with earthquake, and great noise, with storm and tempest, and the flame of devouring fire.  

No sooner had Satan departed from the presence of our Lord, he made no waste of time to start his merciless attack.  

Job 1:13  And there was a day when his sons and his daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:14  And there came a messenger unto Job, and said, The oxen were plowing, and the asses feeding beside them: Job 1:15  And the Sabeans fell [upon them], and took them away; yea, they have slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:16  While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The fire of God is fallen from heaven, and hath burned up the sheep, and the servants, and consumed them; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee.Job 1:17  While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, The Chaldeans made out three bands, and fell upon the camels, and have carried them away, yea, and slain the servants with the edge of the sword; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:18  While he [was] yet speaking, there came also another, and said, Thy sons and thy daughters [were] eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother's house: Job 1:19  And, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and smote the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young men, and they are dead; and I only am escaped alone to tell thee. Job 1:20  Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped, Job 1:21  And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the LORD gave, and the LORD hath taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD. Job 1:22  In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.   

The storm intensifies.  

Jer 12:5  If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and [if] in the land of peace, [wherein] thou trusted, [they wearied thee], then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?  

Sometimes in a severe storm there is a great calm before the worst passes by.  Just as you think it’s about over, it has only begun.  This is the place where Job was now in.  

Job 2:1  Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the LORD.  Job 2:2  And the LORD said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered the LORD, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it.  Job 2:3  And the LORD said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that [there is] none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou moved me against him, to destroy him without cause. Job 2:4  And Satan answered the LORD, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. Job 2:5  But put forth thine hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will curse thee to thy face. Job 2:6  And the LORD said unto Satan, Behold, he [is] in thine hand; but save his life. Job 2:7  So went Satan forth from the presence of the LORD, and smote Job with sore boils from the sole of his foot unto his crown.  His wealth, his children and his servants are all gone.  Now the attack is against his health.  He’s sick and hurting and grieving all at the same time.  Job has lost his children, his sheep, camels, his servants and now he is sick and if that’s not enough, his kinfolk and familiar friends have forgotten him.  He said, they that dwell in mine house and my maids count me for a stranger:  I am an alien in their sight.  Even his wife calls him to curse God and die.  Then of course there are his closest friends who try to pick him apart to find the sin in his life to justify the storm he is in.  Job’s reply to them was that they were all physicians of no value, they had no words of healing balm and all their diagnostics were based on foolish assumptions.  Job began to cry out:  Oh that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!  He would strengthen me.  Job is in a great dilemma; he’s searching for God.  I go forward but he is not there and backward, but I cannot perceive him; on the left had where he d oth work, but I cannot behold him; he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him!  But he knoweth the way that I take and when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.  He said, this is just a trial, a test.  I might not be able to find him but he knows just where I am.  When this is over I am coming forth as pure fold.  I might not be able to feel him, but I have learned his ways.  I know He is faithful.  It may be dark, but he’s my light.  I am going to wait on him.  My foot hath held his step, his way have I kept and not declined.  Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips.  I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food .   Beloved, you may be in the storm of your life.  It may seem no one understands or even that no one cares.  Beloved, just remember the patience of Job for we have seen the end of our Lords dealing with him.  The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.  He brought him out and he will you also.  Remember Daniel, or Joseph or David.  Remember what the Lord spoke through Jeremiah.  I know the thought that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you an expected end.  So keep walking in his steps and keep his ways.  You are coming out!