… the flaming arrows of the evil one.
Summary: Job is a helpful role model when it comes to using our shield of faith. We can learn what the shield can do, and what it can’t do. We can also learn how to protect ourselves from arrows aimed at our emotional soft spots.
How did Job withstand the onslaught of the devil’s arrows? He had faith. The book of Job is replete with long-winded arguments for and against Job’s standing before God. Was he a righteous man or a sinner? For me, the heart of the book and of Job’s faith is in this passage:
I know that my redeemer lives,
and that in the end he will stand on the earth.
And after my skin has been destroyed,
yet in my flesh I will see God;
I myself will see him
with my own eyes — I, and not another.
How my heart yearns within me! (Job 19:25-27)
Even before Christ walked the earth as a man, Job knew he would see him. Job also knew that the death of the flesh is not the end. He understands the paradox of these words, “after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God.” How are we to understand that? If you choose to believe Job’s words, you are on your way to a “shield of faith” like his.
Are there other dangers than the ones that Job endured?
Yes.
Job’s wounds were economic, social, and physical. But what about emotional wounds?
The Bible includes portraits of emotionally vulnerable people. The woman at the well (John 4: 1-42) was a social outcast. She had been rejected by five husbands and her life was lived on the edges of society.
The woman who committed adultery is someone else who was emotionally vulnerable. Why was she looking for love outside of her marriage? (John 8: 1-11)
Even King David, who had everything he could possibly want, felt an emotional need for more. (2 Samuel 11-12)
The story of David and Bathsheba is famous, but how often do we look through the emotional lens at this story? Was David in control of his emotions when he gazed upon the naked Bathsheba bathing in her backyard? Was Bathsheba lonely and emotionally hungry because her husband was so committed to his work?
Job’s defense against these kinds of arrows was simple. He tells us, “I made a covenant with my eyes not to look lustfully at a young woman.” (Job 31:1) That covenant shielded Job from emotional temptation. David and Bathsheba let their guards down and became vulnerable to flaming arrows that burned for the rest of their lives.
God can meet our emotional needs if we will let him. Trusting God with our emotions is one of the most powerful commitments we can make. It is also the best protection we have against the devil’s flaming arrows aimed at our emotional needs.
Application: Consider joining Job in his vow against allowing his eyes to wander.
Food for Thought: How is God able to meet our emotional needs?
One way God meets our emotional needs is through the Incarnation. We can know that through Jesus God experienced much of what we experience. For example, He was betrayed, spit upon, insulted, became hungry, was tempted, He wept, etc. By entering into the human realm and becoming one of us we can know that He understands things from a human perspective. He even knows what it is like to have consequences for sin, even though He was sinless. On the cross Jesus experienced God’s wrath in our place. I personally find it comforting that Jesus understands what I am feeling.
Another way He meets our emotional needs is through personal relationship. That is a basic human need and He provides it through the indwelling Holy Spirit. As Jesus walked this earth He formed close bonds with other people. We know He wants a relationship with His people. In fact, He wants a close, intimate relationship and that is available to each of us.
Yet another way He meets our emotional needs is through others. He calls us to compassion and to love one another. The church body, though flawed, is designed to meet these emotional needs of fellowship, mutual encouragement and care.
Amen
Ditto! 🙂
Brother Rich,
Thank you for the beautiful portrait of our Lord’s emotional connection with us!
Very wise council! I use my “one second” rule, turn my eyes from anything lustful image in less than a one second! After mant things, it’s becomes second nature. Thank you Lord!
Jim,
Isn’t it interesting how those “arrows” dog us throughout our lives? We never seem to outgrow them. You provide us with a living testimony to Job’s ancient one.
10-27-2023, How is God able to meet our emotional needs?
We are created, designed by God to serve God and our serving as we have been created is the only life that will meet or exceed our emotional needs.
Ephesians 2:10, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”
1 Peter 4:10 “As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.
1 Peter 2:9, But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for His own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
Hebrews 13:15, Through Him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge His name.
God knows and will supply all our true physical and spiritual needs according to His riches and His plan in Jesus. We must allow Him to do this as we live in submission to His will, serving as the light we are called to be.
1 Peter 5:6-7, 2 Peter 1:3, Matthew 6:33, Romans 8:28
Ron
Thanks!
Living in submission to his will is the key.
The other key is discerning what his will is.
🙂
You got it. He’s speaking, we need to listen.
Great Point,
Ron