This article explores the gritty nature of the kingdom. A kingdom which consists of patriarchs who take a stand.
Job’s conversation with his friends expressed major thoughts about the King, His laws, His government, citizenship and culture. Job’s plight serves as a plumb-line in seeing the King’s judgement and justices at work, even in uncharted instances.
My mountain is high and valleys are lowbut you have dealt both a fatal blow
but you have dealt both a fatal blow
My beast and my bear you will fightuntil I am as the eagle in my flight
until I am as the eagle in my flight
Scriptures: 1 Peter 1:6-7, Job 1:1,5, Job 13:15
The book of Job tells the story of a very prosperous righteous man who had seven sons and three daughters. One day the 'sons of God' and Satan present themselves to God, and God asks Satan his opinion on Job. Satan answers that Job is pious only because God has put a 'wall around' him and 'blessed' but if God were to stretch out His hand and strike everything that Job had, then he would surely curse God. God then gives Satan permission to test Job's righteousness.Job’s account is always a pit-stop that citizens need to revisit every now and again, to remind ourselves of true devotion and patriotism to one’s King. Job was a model citizen before, during and after his ordeal. Looking at the depiction of citizen Job, we see in chapter one he was “...
Job’s account is always a pit-stop that citizens need to revisit every now and again, to remind ourselves of true devotion and patriotism to one’s King. Job was a model citizen before, during and after his ordeal. Looking at the depiction of citizen Job, we see in chapter one he was “...blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil”; i.e. he expressed true citizenship of the Kingdom.The man was “hated” by Satan simply because of his devotion to his King which exemplifies true citizenship. Job 1:1,5.Even though Job exemplified true citizenship he still needed maturing and the great enemy in this instance was carnality. One of the tools the Kingdom uses in dealing with carnality and unveiling maturity is suffering in the form of trials and tribulations. Trials can be defined
The man was “hated” by Satan simply because of his devotion to his King which exemplifies true citizenship. Job 1:1,5.Even though Job exemplified true citizenship he still needed maturing and the great enemy in this instance was carnality. One of the tools the Kingdom uses in dealing with carnality and unveiling maturity is suffering in the form of trials and tribulations. Trials can be defined as: the act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof or a state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief.Job’s process of maturity takes him through difficult situations.If we did not have insight into the throne of God and the legislative processes that was occurring, I think we would have said similar things as Job’s friends “...you must have broken the King’s law, that’s why you’re in this situation.” Trials examines and reveals the true quality of our citizenship, no one can deny that the process is testing. But it truly unveils not only to us but to our family, community and the governments of this world that our citizenship is superior. Our trials promise pain and anguish because of the losses that we will experience. Like Job we have loved ones that we cherish and we’re devoted to, it’s very painful when we suddenly are without them anymore. In the midst of this we see the enemy's resourcefulness in the situation, trying to use the circumstance to induce citizen into cursing his King; in turn despising and forfeiting his citizenship.
Even though Job exemplified true citizenship he still needed maturing and the great enemy in this instance was carnality. One of the tools the Kingdom uses in dealing with carnality and unveiling maturity is suffering in the form of trials and tribulations. Trials can be defined as: the act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof or a state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief.Job’s process of maturity takes him through difficult situations.If we did not have insight into the throne of God and the legislative processes that was occurring, I think we would have said similar things as Job’s friends “...you must have broken the King’s law, that’s why you’re in this situation.” Trials examines and reveals the true quality of our citizenship, no one can deny that the process is testing. But it truly unveils not only to us but to our family, community and the governments of this world that our citizenship is superior. Our trials promise pain and anguish because of the losses that we will experience. Like Job we have loved ones that we cherish and we’re devoted to, it’s very painful when we suddenly are without them anymore. In the midst of this we see the enemy's resourcefulness in the situation, trying to use the circumstance to induce citizen into cursing his King; in turn despising and forfeiting his citizenship.
If we did not have insight into the throne of God and the legislative processes that was occurring, I think we would have said similar things as Job’s friends “...you must have broken the King’s law, that’s why you’re in this situation.” Trials examines and reveals the true quality of our citizenship, no one can deny that the process is testing. But it truly unveils not only to us but to our family, community and the governments of this world that our citizenship is superior. Our trials promise pain and anguish because of the losses that we will experience. Like Job we have loved ones that we cherish and we’re devoted to, it’s very painful when we suddenly are without them anymore. In the midst of this we see the enemy's resourcefulness in the situation, trying to use the circumstance to induce citizen into cursing his King; in turn despising and forfeiting his citizenship.
The man was “hated” by Satan simply because of his devotion to his King which exemplifies true citizenship. Job 1:1,5. Even though Job exemplified true citizenship he still needed maturing and the great enemy in this instance was carnality. One of the tools the Kingdom uses in dealing with carnality and unveiling maturity is suffering in the form of trials and tribulations. Trials can be defined as: the act or process of testing, trying, or putting to the proof or a state of pain or anguish that tests patience, endurance, or belief.Job’s process of maturity takes him through difficult situations. If we did not have insight into the throne of God and the legislative processes that was occurring, I think we would have said similar things as Job’s friends “...you must have broken the King’s law, that’s why you’re in this situation.” Trials examines and reveals the true quality of our citizenship, no one can deny that the process is testing. But it truly unveils not only to us but to our family, community and the governments of this world that our citizenship is superior. Our trials promise pain and anguish because of the losses that we will experience. Like Job we have loved ones that we cherish and we’re devoted to, it’s very painful when we suddenly are without them anymore. In the midst of this we see the enemy's resourcefulness in the situation, trying to use the circumstance to induce citizen into cursing his King; in turn despising and forfeiting his citizenship.
Job’s process of maturity takes him through difficult situations. If we did not have insight into the throne of God and the legislative processes that was occurring, I think we would have said similar things as Job’s friends “...you must have broken the King’s law, that’s why you’re in this situation.” Trials examines and reveals the true quality of our citizenship, no one can deny that the process is testing. But it truly unveils not only to us but to our family, community and the governments of this world that our citizenship is superior. Our trials promise pain and anguish because of the losses that we will experience. Like Job we have loved ones that we cherish and we’re devoted to, it’s very painful when we suddenly are without them anymore. In the midst of this we see the enemy's resourcefulness in the situation, trying to use the circumstance to induce citizen into cursing his King; in turn despising and forfeiting his citizenship.
A citizen in the midst of trials must be gritty. Trials are painful and produces anguish, despite of this we must be resolute and devoted to the King regardless of the circumstance “...Though He slay me' (which speaks of mentality,) 'I will hope in Him; yet I will argue my ways to His face.” Job 13:15. The citizen must be brave because circumstances like Job’s are not partial in the Kingdom. Our grittiness should not be passive even in the midst of trials; we must protect our citizenship and still be active-citizens in the midst of it. Job’s conversation with his friends expressed major thoughts about the King, His laws, His government, citizenship and culture. Job’s plight serves as a plumb-line in seeing the King’s judgement and justices at work, even in uncharted instances.
David was a King of Israel with a direct lineage to the Messiah. He is depicted as a righteous King, though not without faults, as well as an acclaimed warrior, musician, and poet, he is credited for composing many of the psalms contained in the Book of Psalms.How many times have people used our status to measure us instead of using our grittiness and maturity in the midst of trials to gage us? Let us look at some example of citizens who had grit in their trials. David is a classic case; after returning from battle he found that everything was burnt down and his wife, children and a large part of his community were taken away . In the midst of his pain and anguish we see David seeking his King’s will before pursuing and overtaking the Amalekites. This situation was a real and emotionally shattering affair, thus seeing the men in a state of torment and pain. Nevertheless the predicament caused David to mature participating in governance and seeking the King’s will pertaining to the situation. David knew about the sovereignty of the King in his personal and corporate circumstance. Our grit comes from the fact that the King reigns and that He legislates continuously on behalf of His citizens but we are always required to participate. We must be comforted by the rights and privileges of our citizenship which does not diminish even when we face trials. The enemy attracts and retains his subjects through materialism and promises of power, but the Kingdom of God is always about maturing citizens.
How many times have people used our status to measure us instead of using our grittiness and maturity in the midst of trials to gage us? Let us look at some example of citizens who had grit in their trials. David is a classic case; after returning from battle he found that everything was burnt down and his wife, children and a large part of his community were taken away . In the midst of his pain and anguish we see David seeking his King’s will before pursuing and overtaking the Amalekites. This situation was a real and emotionally shattering affair, thus seeing the men in a state of torment and pain. Nevertheless the predicament caused David to mature participating in governance and seeking the King’s will pertaining to the situation. David knew about the sovereignty of the King in his personal and corporate circumstance. Our grit comes from the fact that the King reigns and that He legislates continuously on behalf of His citizens but we are always required to participate. We must be comforted by the rights and privileges of our citizenship which does not diminish even when we face trials. The enemy attracts and retains his subjects through materialism and promises of power, but the Kingdom of God is always about maturing citizens.
Job’s name means “hated” though one might say in light of his circumstance the meaning of his name fitted him perfectly. But in fact the meaning highlights how a man was “hated” because of his quality of citizenship, which was unlike any upon the earth at that time. Citizens of the Kingdom of light will surely be “hated” by the king of this world and his subjects. In the systems of the world the economic downturn is a big indicator for a desired change in government. In the Kingdom of God the maturity of the citizen is the indicator of good government, if citizens are not maturing the government must be called into question. The quality of Job’s citizenship was not based on material goods or even a quiver full of sons and daughters, but it was based on national identity and patriotism. Job did not stop identifying and conducting himself according to the laws of his King.In this hour we must be gritty “...
In this hour we must be gritty “...though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honour at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 1:6-7
He who has an ear, let him hear.
