The message was brought by Rev. Bob Surber on Sept 24, 2025.
The background scripture is Job 3:20 through 4:7.
What is your worst fear? Job said in verse 25 that the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me. What is it? Sometimes we fear what will never happen. But our worst fear will probably come one day. What could it be? Job lost all his substance in one day. We never know when the proverbial lightning strike will hit us. What would happen if Social Security stopped or you lost your 40 1K? Is something like this your worst fear? Then Job lost all his children, 7 of them, all at one time. We’ve all lost a loved one, but we’ve not lost several of them at one time. Can you imagine? Is that your worst fear? Another fear is losing our health. Job had lost his substance but worshipped God saying 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.
Satan wasn’t finished. He could do nothing to Job without God’s knowledge and permission. He would have killed Job, but God would not permit it. He could only touch his body. He inflicted Job with boils all over his body. Boils are painful. Substance, Family, Health. He lost all of that. When tragedy strikes, many commit spiritual suicide. Job’s wife was at the end of her rope and told him to curse God and die. He told her she was foolish. He said Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. What? shall we receive good at the hand of God, and shall we not receive evil? In all this did not Job sin with his lips. If God allows bad to happen we should remain the same toward him as when good happens. Christianity is not a “fair weather” thing we do. Job refused to curse God.
Three friends came to visit Job. They sat and said nothing for seven days. Sometimes all we can do is be there. Sit and listen. Job was trying to discover the blessing even in this bad situation. Don’t give up. Find the blessing God has for you. You won’t find this kind of blessing in the good times. Special grace comes in these times. Just because your greatest fear has come upon you doesn’t mean that God isn’t good. God is good all the time. He hasn’t changed. One friend said in 4:7 who ever perished, being innocent? or where were the righteous cut off? Have the righteous ever been cut off? Those who keep their eyes on God always make it through. We can too. Job was cut down but not cut off. Bad things can happen and cut us down. With God we are not defeated.
Chapter 4:6 mentions thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways. Whatever “it” may be that troubles us can bring out the best in us. In response: Let’s fear God. Let’s respect God. Let’s put our confidence in God. Let’s walk upright before him. When our confidence is gone in other things, we can always have confidence in God! Keep the faith! He is our hope and our righteousness. Stand upright before the Lord and praise his name.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 