HOW TO DEAL WITH LIFE’S WORST-CASE SCENARIOS

JOB 3:25-26

INTRODUCTION

I do not know you, but me when I am venturing into something I always want to know the worst thing that can happen. There is a book in the bookshop that tells people how to deal with life’s worst scenarios. Some of the chapters include;  How to escape from quicksand, How to jump-start a car, How to escape from a shark attack, How to escape from a Lion, How to survive a poisonous snake attack, How to escape from killer bees, How to escape from a crocodile, How to land a plane, What to do if your parachute fails to open, How to survive an earthquake, How to perform a tracheotomy, How to take a punch, How to win a sword fight, How to survive adrift at sea, How to jump from a moving car, How to escape a rape attack etc.

It is possible none of these things happen to you, but it is possible to find yourself in Job’s situation. The worst thing that could happen, happened to Job. The book of Job teaches us how to deal with life’s worst case scenarios.

Let us learn:-

I.   THE CHARACTER OF JOB’S LIFE.

1. He lived a Godly life (1:1,8,5, 20-22)
2. He lived a good life (1:2-3)
3. He lived a life in the Grace of God (1:9-11, 2:4-5)

• A life lived for the Lord is beautiful. When we fully dedicate our lives to God, we experience His grace and blessings.
• A life, lived for Him is a life not wasted, it is a life of value (Eph.2:10, Matt.5:16)

II.  THE CALAMITIES OF JOB’S LIFE.

1. His calamities touched his fortune (1:14-17)
2. His calamities touched his family (1:18-19)
3. His calamities touched his fitness (2:1-8)

• But we need to know that a good life is not a hedge against trouble. Being good is not insurance against calamity. See this truth in the life of Paul (2 Cor.11:23-28), Daniel 6, David, our Lord Himself is called the “Man of sorrows” (Isa.53:3)
• Remember what the Bible says (Job.14:1:5:7, John 10:33)

III.  THE CLASSROOM OF JOB’S LIFE.

1. He learned lessons about the person of God (38-41)
2. He learned a lesson about the purpose of God (42:1-5)
3. He learned lessons about the power of God (42:10-12)

• Job learned that no area of life is safe from difficult or disruption
• Job learned that God’s purpose in trials is not to break us but to grow us.
• Job learned that God’s purposes and plans for our lives are often beyond our comprehension (Isah.55:8-9).
• Job learned that God is absolutely sovereign in all of life (Rom.8:28, 2 Cor.4:17)
• Job learned that in the end, all things worked out right (Rom.8:18)

IV.  THE CONSUMMATION OF JOB’S LIFE.

1. It was a time of personal repentance (42:6)
2. It was a time of personal revival (42:7-10)
3. It was a time of powerful restoration (42:10-17)
4. It was a time of profound reflection (42:14)
5. Jemima- (Day or dove) was born.
6. Kezia- (Fragrance) was born.
7. Keren- (Box of eye- paint) glory was born.

CONCLUSION

• Job’s worst case scenario became a reality- God was in control
• Job learned to cast his burden to the Lord. (Lam.3:31-33, I Peter 5:7)
• If you are not saved, the worst case scenario is a life in hell for eternity.
• Are you in your worst case scenario today? – Trust God no matter what!