Newkirk Church of Christ

Scott’s Thoughts

August 9, 2026

 

“And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of  oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.” (Job 42:12, ESV)

Most of us are familiar with the book of Job. Even if we don’t fully understand it, we know that Job was a very wealthy man until God allowed Satan to  attack him. Satan was permitted to take everything Job  possessed—but he could not take Job’s life. What  followed left Job in a heartbreaking condition. Job had  once been one of the richest men in the East. Now he was wearing rags for clothing, had little food to eat,  and people viewed his place in life as a complete  failure. His three closest friends traveled a great  distance to comfort him, but when they saw him, their  words were harsh: “Job, we don’t know what you did,  but it must have been terrible. For God to treat you this  way, you must be the greatest sinner who ever lived.” Job’s answer was simple: “I did nothing.”
Job could not understand why such terrible things  were happening to him. He knew in his heart that he  had been faithful to God. Faithful—yet stripped of  every good thing he once enjoyed. Meanwhile, Satan  sat in the corner laughing, convinced that this time he  had finally defeated God in a battle over a man. But  Satan had never been more wrong. In reality, he had  just suffered one of his greatest defeats. In this battle between Satan—who viewed himself greater than  God—and Job, an ordinary, faithful man, Satan lost.  We often stop reading the book of Job before we reach the good part. God restored Job to a life of respect and  abundance. Job’s steadfastness defeated Satan.

We learn in Job that hardship alone does not prove  God’s punishments and wealth alone does not prove  God’s blessings. Wealth can test a person just as  deeply—if not more—than hardship. Being steadfast  in faithfulness defeated Satan’s plan.

I would like to think I have enough control and  steadfastness over my life that God would not need to  punish me for the things I’ve done wrong. But the truth  is this: whatever might be considered punishment from  God is far less than what I truly deserve. Whether hardship or wealth, God desires to use us for His  purpose and He knows His purpose long before we do.

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel  of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of  the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields  its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all  that he does, he prospers.” (Psalm 1:1–3, ESV)

Thanks for listening and keep on shining.

—Scott

2020 Mission Trip to Kramatorsk, Ukraine

Day 1 & 2 | 10/12/20 | 10/13/20 | 10/14/20 10/16/20 | 10/17/20 | 10/18/20 | 10/18/20 10/19/20 | 10/20/20| 10/21/20 | 10/23/20  | 10/25/20 | Summary Report

 

Previous Issues

6/28/26 "Say to Joseph, "Please forgive

5/24/26 "Since his days are determined...

5/17/26 "Finally, brothers, whatever is true...

5/10/26 "But our citizenship is in heaven...

The Just Shall Live By Faith

Remembering how God blessed you through former trials and troubles helps motivate you to remain faithful. Christians may have to suffer all kinds of afflictions, but heaven is worth it (Hebrews 10:32-34)! The Christian must never be like the cowardly soldiers, who, in the heat of the battle, throw down their shields and armor, then run away. The Christian is a spiritual soldier. He must never turn back, but he must die as a conqueror rather than be taken prisoner by Satan.

After we have done the will of God in becoming a Christian, we have the need for patience to enable us to wait for the receiving of the promise of God. Christ will come to call His faithful home and thus end all suffering.

The just person lives by his faith. Those who lack faith “Draw back” and cause God to have no pleasure in them (Hebrews 10:38-39). A Christian must live His or her life guided by the faith once for all revealed to the saints. The influence of faith on our lives is the saving of our soul through Jesus. Are you in Christ and walking faithfully in His service (Galatians 3:26-27)? As a Christian’ you will have the help of Christ as you live by faith. But, remember, “The just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul” (Hebrews 10:38-39)? I love you.

Let’s go to heaven together.

—Charles Box
Walnut Street church of Christ
Greenville, AL