“Changes and war are with me.” Job 10:17

 “Changes and war are with me.” Job 10:17

CHANGES
When you're young, the moments and the time you're in seem to last long, and you subconsciously think "this is the way life will always be." But one of the salient features of growing older is you become more aware of change. You see more and more of the old folks leaving, while you see the "babies" and children becoming adults. The culture and landscape that you thought were permanent segue into new and often surprising territory.
You young folk should look up two words in the dictionary: "change" and "surprise." For you will not be a stranger to these. One other concept that will become real to you is the term "Short." You will realize more and more how short life is and that it goes by fast. In a flash, we all will face eternity. For myself I might add the words of Solomon, "Remember now your creator in the days of your youth." Take hold of something that will not change, something that will endure eternally. God has placed eternity in our hearts. This world which is passing away cannot bring the peace, hope, and fulfillment that can only be found in Jesus Christ.
The Hebrew root word for “changes” in Job 10:17 is “passing through,” “passing on,” and “passing away.” It tells us that things will change. This also has a positive aspect. Though circumstances change, God’s wonderful purpose remains constant. It is sad that so many people have given up or committed suicide because they saw only their current predicament, their current moment of desperation, not realizing they would have passed through the “for a little while” phase (1Peter 1:9) if they had stood faithful in the moment. If they had endured through the pain, they would sooner or later have experienced the “after a while” of 1 Peter 5:10 and would have experienced the final outcome intended by the Lord (James 5:7-12).

WAR
We must believe the encouraging words of scripture that says, “For surely there is a hereafter, and your hope will not be cut off” (Proverbs 23:18). We must let patient endurance have its perfect work (James 1:1-4). The suffering of the moment is not worthy to be compared to the glory and blessing of the Lord that comes to those who endure to the end…and to those who persevere and pass through the fiery trials to eventually experience the Lord’s intended outcome.
Job also said, “war is ever with me.” For us that speaks of spiritual warfare. There is a spiritual battle for the souls of man. We should not be surprised or think it strange concerning the spiritual battle we must face in entering and advancing the kingdom of God. Christians tend to naively think they will face victory without battle. But when trials or adversity come, they then tend to think they will have battle without victory. We must be assured we will have battle, but also we will have victory if we stand in faith and trust God. Don’t ever give in, give out, or give up. Don’t compromise, don’t quit, and don’t surrender.
“Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…that you may be able to withstand in the evil day. And having done all to stand, stand therefore.” Ephesians 6:10-18.
“Hear O Israel: Today you are on the verge of battle with your enemies. Do not let your heart faint, do not be afraid and do not tremble or be terrified because of them; For the Lord your God is He who goes with you, to fight against your enemies, to save you.” Deuteronomy 20: 3-4.

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