Curse God and die...

“On another day the angels came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him.

“And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Where have you come from?’

“Satan answered the LORD, ‘From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it.’

“Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.’

“‘Skin for skin!’ Satan replied. ‘A man will give all he has for his own life. But stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.’

“The LORD said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’

“So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes.

“His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!’

“He replied, ‘You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?’

“In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” (Job 2:1-10, NIV)

Job is suffering. Painful sores cover his body. He’s in agony. The pressure to give up and curse God is greater than ever before. The attack is personal this time. Satan is seeking to crush faith. He’s pulled out all the stops.

Even Mrs. Job chimes in, speaking the enemy’s cold, cruel mantra. “Still hanging on to your integrity? Give it up! Curse God and die!”

Some have heard that sentiment in their minds. When their whole world is all ajumble, the thought pops up unexpectedly. “This is too much. I can’t take it any more. God doesn’t care. I’d be better off dead.”

Some succumb to the pressure and attempt end it all. Satan snickers when it comes to that. He’s won when despair overwhelms reason, when doubt overshadows faith, when hope is drowned out by sorrow.

Friends, let me be really, really clear. Suicide is never the right answer - not ever! If you get to the place that you believe death to be preferable to life, get help. You need the love and support of a Christian counselor and of your believing friends to rescue you from the untruth the enemy has spoken into your heart. You are not seeing reality for what it is when you begin to seriously consider suicide.

The truth is you are deeply loved by God. The truth is you are cared for by others. If you can’t hear these truths, if death seems to be your best option, get help.

“When it rains it pours.” So says the old adage. “When it pours, it’s all over.” So says the enemy.

What he says is not so. God is still with you. In the worst of times, he stays close. If you will turn to him, if you will worship, he will show himself to be good in spite of our circumstances.

“Shall we accept good from God and not trouble?”

It is in times of trouble that God proves his trustworthiness. It is in the most trying times, that his grace is most sufficient. It is in the darkest night, that God’s goodness shines brightest. Trust him and do not doubt. Praise him and do not curse. Hang on to your integrity. Worship him and find peace.

To receive my once or twice weekly message via email, send a blank email to webmessage-subscribe@associate.com. Past messages are available at freegroups.net/groups/webmessage.