The key to captivity turned: Job 42:10

Ahh the book of Job.  Poor guy.  Wouldn’t want to be in his shoes.  Why was God picking on him?

I am speaking as a fool.  I know.  And we can spend countless hours pulling amazing and empowering truths from the book of Job.  But I want to focus on one.  I want to focus on the key that Job used to unlock the blessings of heaven.

I call it Job’s key.  And I try to remember it by giving it a price tag; $42.10.  For some reason it is easier to think about a key that cost forty two dollars and ten cents that to say Job 42:10.

“And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.” (italics mine)

Okay, so we need to pray for our friends.  We do that all the time.  But take a look at who the Lord was calling Job’s friends, and more importantly… what they were doing to Job!

When I read this verse, I see that when we pray for those who come and accuse us, who tell us all that we are doing wrong, who try to find the fault in us that has obviously caused all the trials in our lives THEN the Lord releases (turns the captivity) US and blesses US.

Did we catch that?  We are released.  Our captivity is turned; that which was holding us back; that which is binding us and not allowing us to experience the freedom we have in Christ… that is turned.  We are freed.  We are released.  Blessing comes to us. 

When? 

When we pray for those who are attacking us! 

Only in the kingdom! Only in Christ does the victory come when you get on the side of those who would attack you in the flesh!  Spiritual warfare is so opposite of earthly warfare.  When I want blessing, when I want freedom… I do everything in my power to bless others and free them!  Praise God!

As an effective follower of Christ we should take time out to deliberately pray for all those who would share company with Job’s friends.  Is there someone who has accused you?  Is there someone always telling you that you are wrong? Or that you need to change? (Maybe they are right but praise God that that doesn’t matter in the equation of prayer!) Is there someone that has “turned on” you?  …

Pray for them.  Go before God and request all the blessing of heaven upon them!  Quote our Lord and Savior on the cross and beg “Father forgive them!”  Get in the gap for them.

Throw off the shackles and enjoy the freedom that the Son has given us!

SDG