Is not your evil abundant? There is no end to your iniquities. For you have exacted pledges of your brothers for nothing and stripped the naked of their clothing. You have given no water to the weary to drink, and you have withheld bread from the hungry. The man with power possessed the land, and the favored man lived in it. You have sent widows away empty, and the arms of the fatherless were crushed. (Job 22:5-9)
When Job's friend begins to list Job's sins, he begins with a list that very much resembles the list given by Jesus in Matthew 25:41ff. We often get focused on the big sins, like murder, stealing, adultery, homosexuality... and on and on. I find it more than a little interesting that when it comes down to it, both Job and Matthew make sin about our daily lives and what we do towards others.
Is your evil abundant? You read that and think of the drug dealer or the cop killer. Nope... no water to the thirsty. No bread for the hungry. Widows without the things they need. Job seems to be telling us that the threshold for sin is very low. I see a person in need and have the ability to help and I don't... sin. He seems to telling us that inaction on our part is just as sinful as action. What we don't do matters!
In the Matthew listing, it seems that those who are confronted with this "sin" of inaction are caught off guard. "When did we not do these things?" Jesus tells them whenever they had the opportunity to help and didn't take advantage of it... they sinned. That is a standard that most of us have never lived by. Have I murdered someone? Nope. Have I robbed the convenience store? Nope. Have I slept with my neighbors spouse? Nope. Have I feed the hungry? Sometimes. Have I clothed the naked? Occasionally. Visited the sick? Now and then.
What's the point in all of this? God is calling His people to live differently. He is calling us to be the "light of the world". He expects us to fix what needs fixing as we has given the ability. He gives blessings and we are to use those to bless others. He provides for us and we provide for those that are hurting or are in need. In that way, His people glorify Him. We give food to the hungry and point to Him. We clothe the naked and tell them that it is all about God. Our actions for His glory.
We are to be world changers!! He placed us here with His purpose in mind. "Overcome evil with good", Paul tells the Romans in chapter 12. "Love your neighbor as yourself", Jesus tells the spiritual elite of His day in Matthew 22. Sometimes, we get the idea that to please God, we have to do something big. You know, save the world. Jesus breaks it down to much simpler terms. "Love your neighbor as yourself" and you will show others God and maybe, just maybe they will want to follow a God that cares for them.
Got water? Give it to those that thirst. Got clothing? Give it to those that are naked. Got a few minutes? Visit the sick or those in prison. It is in doing the little things that big things are accomplished. let me say that again, it is in doing the little things that big things are accomplished. A building isn't built in a day. It is the daily little efforts, dig the foundation, pour the footing, lay the block, place the floor joists... and on and on. Choose to do the little thing today and then the next little thing tomorrow and the next.
God will bless the effort. He will! Put Him to the test, you will not be disappointed. Point to Him in all you do. Glorify Him and you will see the building being built. Should I do a big thing? Sure, if the opportunity presents itself and God has given you the ability. But know that in doing the small things, He is pleased! In caring for others, we are caring for Him and His creation. Start small... but start! May God bless you in your doing of it.
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Wednesday, January 14, 2015
Few Days, Full of Trouble (Job 14)
“Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble." Job 14 (ESV)
Come on Job!! You are depressing all of us! Seriously, Thanks for reminding us that we don't get to live very long; but at least our short lives will be filled with problems. It is a fact that the human life is short... maybe 80 years, maybe a little longer. And, it is a fact that life is filled with problems. If that is all we dwell on, the psychiatrist' couch is waiting.
Job is certainly scraping the bottom of the hope barrel as he gives us insight into his desperation. Short life, filled with trouble. "He comes out like a flower and withers." "A man lies down and rises not again." "But the mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rock is removed from its place; the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man."
We have all been there. We question God. We want to know what He is thinking when our short lives are filled with trouble. "What is going on God?" We understand the facts of life. We know that everyone dies. We know that even those that seem to live charmed lives... don't get out unscathed. So, what's it all about? What is God trying to communicate to us through these chapters of pain and struggle?
At the very least, He is letting us know we are not alone in this. We all share in the same stuff. We all deal with death. We all live with problems. We all live with struggles. From King to servant, life is the same. From David to Onesimus, life is the same. That is good news if you think about it. Jesus suffered the same stuff we do. Family issues. Betrayal. Pain. Suffering. Heat. Cold. Hunger. Did I mention betrayal by a friend? We are all in the same boat.
Secondly, Job gives us hope in the next life... "If we humans die, will we live again? That’s my question. All through these difficult days I keep hoping, waiting for the final change—for resurrection! Homesick with longing for the creature you made, you’ll call—and I’ll answer! You’ll watch over every step I take, but you won’t keep track of my missteps. My sins will be stuffed in a sack and thrown into the sea—sunk in deep ocean." (The Message Vs 14-17)
Ahh, resurrection! Through this life of pain and sorrow, the hope of resurrection is to keep us going. I love his picture... God longs for His creation and will call to us in the grave. We will answer!! We Will Answer! I love that!! He has watched our steps in this life, but doesn't keep up with our missteps. Good news... nope, great news! My sin is bundled in a sack and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. He won't bring it up. It is down there to stay!
Isn't it amazing that in the hurricane of life, Job thinks about the life to come. While reeling from a punch to his gut, Job thinks about answering God's call and his exit from the grave. And, he reminds us of His benevolence towards us and our sinfulness. When the waves of troubles crash around us, may we remember Job's words. May we remember our Savior and His suffering... and His resurrection! May we remember that He will call us from our graves and we will join Him in the sky to be with Him for eternity. Good news? The best!
Come on Job!! You are depressing all of us! Seriously, Thanks for reminding us that we don't get to live very long; but at least our short lives will be filled with problems. It is a fact that the human life is short... maybe 80 years, maybe a little longer. And, it is a fact that life is filled with problems. If that is all we dwell on, the psychiatrist' couch is waiting.
Job is certainly scraping the bottom of the hope barrel as he gives us insight into his desperation. Short life, filled with trouble. "He comes out like a flower and withers." "A man lies down and rises not again." "But the mountain falls and crumbles away, and the rock is removed from its place; the waters wear away the stones; the torrents wash away the soil of the earth; so you destroy the hope of man."
We have all been there. We question God. We want to know what He is thinking when our short lives are filled with trouble. "What is going on God?" We understand the facts of life. We know that everyone dies. We know that even those that seem to live charmed lives... don't get out unscathed. So, what's it all about? What is God trying to communicate to us through these chapters of pain and struggle?
At the very least, He is letting us know we are not alone in this. We all share in the same stuff. We all deal with death. We all live with problems. We all live with struggles. From King to servant, life is the same. From David to Onesimus, life is the same. That is good news if you think about it. Jesus suffered the same stuff we do. Family issues. Betrayal. Pain. Suffering. Heat. Cold. Hunger. Did I mention betrayal by a friend? We are all in the same boat.
Secondly, Job gives us hope in the next life... "If we humans die, will we live again? That’s my question. All through these difficult days I keep hoping, waiting for the final change—for resurrection! Homesick with longing for the creature you made, you’ll call—and I’ll answer! You’ll watch over every step I take, but you won’t keep track of my missteps. My sins will be stuffed in a sack and thrown into the sea—sunk in deep ocean." (The Message Vs 14-17)
Ahh, resurrection! Through this life of pain and sorrow, the hope of resurrection is to keep us going. I love his picture... God longs for His creation and will call to us in the grave. We will answer!! We Will Answer! I love that!! He has watched our steps in this life, but doesn't keep up with our missteps. Good news... nope, great news! My sin is bundled in a sack and sunk to the bottom of the ocean. He won't bring it up. It is down there to stay!
Isn't it amazing that in the hurricane of life, Job thinks about the life to come. While reeling from a punch to his gut, Job thinks about answering God's call and his exit from the grave. And, he reminds us of His benevolence towards us and our sinfulness. When the waves of troubles crash around us, may we remember Job's words. May we remember our Savior and His suffering... and His resurrection! May we remember that He will call us from our graves and we will join Him in the sky to be with Him for eternity. Good news? The best!
Monday, January 12, 2015
What to Say and When to Say It! (Job 12)
The 12th chapter contains loads of truth. Blogs could be written about every verse, but who has the time? Job has listened to his friends go on and on and on. His patience is wearing thin and he lets them have both barrels. (he is just like us) His wisdom shines in his words. In today's vernacular, Job has an awesome comeback!
He dresses them down and then gives them understanding...
"I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live." (The Message) That made me laugh! How many times have we wanted to say that to someone or how many times has someone wanted to say that to us? "Yep, you are a know-it-all and when you are gone, knowledge will pass with you". How we speak matters. What we say matter. When we are there to comfort the hurting, they don't need a lecture, they need love. Job had grown tired of the lectures and wasn't feeling the love.
We need to remember that the person we are speaking to is not stupid. They may actually have more insight into the matter than us; after all, they are the ones going through the hurt. So, the first lesson for us is to know when to speak and how to speak and what to speak. (no small feat) Sometimes it is wise to wait to deal with truth until a hurt is diminished. There will be time to deal with error after the suffering is over. Read verse 5 and do some soul searching. I sure did.
Once Job begins to speak about God, his wisdom and understanding shines through. "You want truth?" he asks. "you can't handle the truth". (ok, that wasn't Job) He delivers an amazing revelation of who God is and how he operates. Verses 7 -25 are some of the best words to give understanding I know of.
V 10 - In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. (ESV)
V 13 - With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. (ESV)
V 23 - He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. (ESV)
Job understands important things about God. He is Creator. He is Sustainer. He is Giver. He is Taker. In the midst of his suffering and pain, Job is clear about who God is and what God does. In the midst of all the tragedy, Job knows God. And he trusts Him. Maybe the second thing we get from chapter 12 is a better picture of God. (no small thing) He is in charge. Yes, He gives us free will and let's us make choices; but we must never forget... He is in charge! Finally, ultimately... God is the One.
I encourage you to meditate on the many wonderful truths that Job brings into the light in this chapter. Consider how we care for each other and how we can better serve one another in tough times. Listen to the beast, the bird, the bush and the fish... they proclaim the glory of God... shouldn't we do the same.
He dresses them down and then gives them understanding...
"I’m sure you speak for all the experts, and when you die there’ll be no one left to tell us how to live." (The Message) That made me laugh! How many times have we wanted to say that to someone or how many times has someone wanted to say that to us? "Yep, you are a know-it-all and when you are gone, knowledge will pass with you". How we speak matters. What we say matter. When we are there to comfort the hurting, they don't need a lecture, they need love. Job had grown tired of the lectures and wasn't feeling the love.
We need to remember that the person we are speaking to is not stupid. They may actually have more insight into the matter than us; after all, they are the ones going through the hurt. So, the first lesson for us is to know when to speak and how to speak and what to speak. (no small feat) Sometimes it is wise to wait to deal with truth until a hurt is diminished. There will be time to deal with error after the suffering is over. Read verse 5 and do some soul searching. I sure did.
Once Job begins to speak about God, his wisdom and understanding shines through. "You want truth?" he asks. "you can't handle the truth". (ok, that wasn't Job) He delivers an amazing revelation of who God is and how he operates. Verses 7 -25 are some of the best words to give understanding I know of.
V 10 - In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. (ESV)
V 13 - With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding. (ESV)
V 23 - He makes nations great, and he destroys them; he enlarges nations, and leads them away. (ESV)
Job understands important things about God. He is Creator. He is Sustainer. He is Giver. He is Taker. In the midst of his suffering and pain, Job is clear about who God is and what God does. In the midst of all the tragedy, Job knows God. And he trusts Him. Maybe the second thing we get from chapter 12 is a better picture of God. (no small thing) He is in charge. Yes, He gives us free will and let's us make choices; but we must never forget... He is in charge! Finally, ultimately... God is the One.
I encourage you to meditate on the many wonderful truths that Job brings into the light in this chapter. Consider how we care for each other and how we can better serve one another in tough times. Listen to the beast, the bird, the bush and the fish... they proclaim the glory of God... shouldn't we do the same.
Thursday, January 8, 2015
My Best Friend Bildad (Job 8)
When you have things figured out, you have them figured out! You can't be wrong, when it seems so right. Right? I have been there and so have you. We reason things out and arrive at an understanding and there is no way we could be wrong. We will defend our position all day long. That is human and that is what we all are. We need to understand this.
Job's best friend Bildad has the situation figured out and he wants Job to understand. Job's children sinned and God punished them. Simple as that. Job sinned and is reaping the rewards of his conduct. He needs to hit his knees and repent and God will fix everything back up. Who knows, God might even make it better than it was before... if Job will only repent of his wickedness.
No doubt, we all need to repent. We all have things in our lives that are out of kilter with God's will and we need to confess that to Him and ask for forgiveness and then work to live rightly. That much is true! But let us not forget the first two chapters of Job. The situation that Job finds himself in is not due to his sinfulness. (in fact it is just the opposite) Job's righteousness is what put him in this place. The question at hand isn't his sinfulness, rather the question at hand is his faithfulness. In the heat of battle, when life is raging and things are going sideways, will Job remain faithful?
In fairness to Bildad, he didn't read the first two chapters of Job and he is seeing this through his human eye. His understanding is based on his life experience and what he has been taught. Job had been an example of faithfulness and God had given him great rewards. Undoubtedly, Bildad had also seen those that were unfaithful suffer the consequences of their actions. That is life. But sometimes, even the faithful suffer. And, sometimes even the sinful prosper... in human terms. God doesn't guarantee that His children will never suffer. In fact, He guarantees that His faithful follower will suffer.
So, you ask "Why follow a God that allows such as this?". He gives people free will. That is the kind of God we follow. He could have made us parrots to sit on his shoulder and repeat what He says. He could have built robots, but where is the glory in that? Instead, He placed us here with intellect and let's us decide whether we will follow him or seek our own interests. When we chose Him, that brings glory to Him. When we reject Him, He is disappointed, but He is not harmed. It is far greater for a Creator to make someone like Him (with reasoning abilities) and give them free will, than a creator that makes someone with no choice.
Some believe that God's authority is harmed by this. I believe that His power is on full display! A Creator that gives up some of His power to let His creation make the decision is all powerful. That in no way diminishes His authority! That is a Creator that I can serve, willfully and lovingly. Every person gets to choose and every person will answer for their choice. That is God's plan and He is in charge. Bildad had a wrong view of God and so can we. In the midst of our suffering, we can become discouraged and blame God. That is human too. Our friend or family member, who is faithful to God suffers physical or financially and we want an answer. Why God, why? That is Human too. The answer isn't simple, but knowing that there is a difference between God allowing and God causing is critical to our understanding of God.
God loves us and promises that living a faithful life here will bring a life eternal without suffering. Without loss. Without pain. Good news? Great news! Bildad got it wrong! May we grow in our knowledge of Him and His love for us. Repent... for sure. But repentance doesn't relieve us of all of our earthly suffering. Only God can do that... in the next life, the eternal one.
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Friends (Job 3-6)
Friends. Sometimes they are wonderful, other times... not so much. After the calamity, Job's friends show up and sit with him for seven days. Not a word is spoken. Sometimes just having a friend to sit with you is all that is needed. In those moments, words fix nothing. In those moments, a friend's shoulder and their presence gives great comfort. He has lost nearly everything, his wife is giving him bad advice and friends show up to sit with him. Seven days of silence.
Job finally opens up to them and lets his hurt out. That is needed. We need someone to listen when we are hurting and Job had his friends. His suffering spilled out onto them and they listened and gave him their attention. All that is so good. Then they couldn't help but speak. Not always good. Listening never harms anyone that is hurting, sometimes our words can. So..
Then they opened their mouths. Then they decided it was time to give Job their insight and wisdom. It went something like this... Job, you are a good man. You have taught others and given help to the helpless. You have comforted the hurting and strengthened the weak. But you are still a man and man was made for trouble. You are not perfect and God brings reproof to everyone. He punishes us when we deserve it. So, Job you must have done something to deserve this punishment that has come into your life.
No doubt, that made Job feel better about his situation! I know when bad stuff happens in my life, I need my friends to tell me that I deserve it. (I probably do) After such great comforting, they actually do offer some good advice... turn this over to God. He can handle it. "As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number". First part, God did this to you because of your own evil deeds... wrong! Second part, seek His help in your time of need... right!
Sometimes our view of God can get distorted by our own thoughts or the opinions of our friends. Our Theology can get messed up. We think when bad things happen, God is punishing us and when good things happen, He is rewarding us. That gets us into to trouble. The drug dealer with the big house and fancy car makes no sense when we have this concept. The suffering Christian who lives a righteous life begins to look like a hypocrite. This gets us into all kinds of trouble in our thinking of our Father in Heaven.
God is certainly the giver of blessings. He is certainly the rewarder of those who are faithful. The rub comes when we chose to interpret His actions through our human understanding. We are not God... He is! He sends rain on the just and the unjust. We get the idea that this life, our human life is the place all this occurs. He warns us to pile up our treasures in Heaven! He knows that in our physical lives, bad things are going to happen. Thieves break in, rust destroys... life happens.
Back to friends... God made us for community. He made us to need each other. We need friends and we need to be friends. We will give good advice and we will give bad advice. We will receive good advice and will receive bad advice. We are all just humans! Here's the thing... we need to have a right view of our Father and let that frame what we do and say in our relationships. He is good! But this earth is a sin-filled fallen place. He does bless! But good and bad will come our way. But in the end, He settles all scores. He gives the final judgment and does so in a perfect, fair way.
May we all go when we are needed. Listen to those that hurt when needed. Be with those that are suffering when needed. And, may we offer a right view of their situation framed by a loving God who will set things right eternally.
Peace.
Job finally opens up to them and lets his hurt out. That is needed. We need someone to listen when we are hurting and Job had his friends. His suffering spilled out onto them and they listened and gave him their attention. All that is so good. Then they couldn't help but speak. Not always good. Listening never harms anyone that is hurting, sometimes our words can. So..
Then they opened their mouths. Then they decided it was time to give Job their insight and wisdom. It went something like this... Job, you are a good man. You have taught others and given help to the helpless. You have comforted the hurting and strengthened the weak. But you are still a man and man was made for trouble. You are not perfect and God brings reproof to everyone. He punishes us when we deserve it. So, Job you must have done something to deserve this punishment that has come into your life.
No doubt, that made Job feel better about his situation! I know when bad stuff happens in my life, I need my friends to tell me that I deserve it. (I probably do) After such great comforting, they actually do offer some good advice... turn this over to God. He can handle it. "As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number". First part, God did this to you because of your own evil deeds... wrong! Second part, seek His help in your time of need... right!
Sometimes our view of God can get distorted by our own thoughts or the opinions of our friends. Our Theology can get messed up. We think when bad things happen, God is punishing us and when good things happen, He is rewarding us. That gets us into to trouble. The drug dealer with the big house and fancy car makes no sense when we have this concept. The suffering Christian who lives a righteous life begins to look like a hypocrite. This gets us into all kinds of trouble in our thinking of our Father in Heaven.
God is certainly the giver of blessings. He is certainly the rewarder of those who are faithful. The rub comes when we chose to interpret His actions through our human understanding. We are not God... He is! He sends rain on the just and the unjust. We get the idea that this life, our human life is the place all this occurs. He warns us to pile up our treasures in Heaven! He knows that in our physical lives, bad things are going to happen. Thieves break in, rust destroys... life happens.
Back to friends... God made us for community. He made us to need each other. We need friends and we need to be friends. We will give good advice and we will give bad advice. We will receive good advice and will receive bad advice. We are all just humans! Here's the thing... we need to have a right view of our Father and let that frame what we do and say in our relationships. He is good! But this earth is a sin-filled fallen place. He does bless! But good and bad will come our way. But in the end, He settles all scores. He gives the final judgment and does so in a perfect, fair way.
May we all go when we are needed. Listen to those that hurt when needed. Be with those that are suffering when needed. And, may we offer a right view of their situation framed by a loving God who will set things right eternally.
Peace.
Friday, January 2, 2015
A Test of Faith - Job 1
Let's get one thing out of the way early... I struggle with the Book of Job. It is a difficult read with many things that I don't understand. My view of God is challenged by His actions towards Job (or lack of action). But, let's put my struggles aside and see what we can learn about God and His servant Job and see if we can make applications to our lives.
In Chapter 1, we are introduced to Job. He is a great man of faith and has received Gods' blessings in all areas of his life. He is husband, father, businessman, leader, servant, teacher and faithful follower of God. To quote the text, "He was the greatest man among all the people of the East". He is presented to us as the nearly perfect man. Of course we know he had his faults, but they are not in view in the introduction.
After a short introduction to the man, we are taken on a quick trip to the throne room of God. His angels are assembling for a meeting and Satan shows up. Seems like an odd assembly. Satan tells God that he has been checking out the earth and God says, "Did you notice Job? He is a nearly perfect servant of Mine".
Satan gives an interesting response... "Do you think he does all that out of the goodness of his heart? He does that because you pamper him!".
A couple of things worth noting. First, Satan recognizes that blessings are from God. Job has received God's provision and protection. Secondly, Satan questions whether Job is a righteous man because of the blessings. Two things to ponder as you move forward in Job... is Job good because of what God has done for him or is God blessing Job because he is good?
God turns Satan loose to remove the blessings to examine the character of Job. Without the stuff, is Job going to lose faith? When the wealth is gone, when the family is gone does faith leave him? And so it begins, one messenger after another bringing him the bad news of catastrophe. His possessions gone, his children dead and his life changed in ways that we have seen at times around the world. Earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, tornado; events that forever alter the lives of those involved.
When these events happen, those of great character rise to the occasion. I am always amazed when the woman who stands among the ruins of her life with only the cloths on her back and talks about starting over and how thankful she is to have survived. Or, the man digging through the rubble of his home looking for the bodies of his loved ones, yet remains hopeful that life will still bring good things.
Job responds to the lose of family and wealth this way, Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed. Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. He worships God. (silence for a moment of thought) He worships God!
In his response, Job forces us to remember that what we have here, on Earth is not all there is. When the stock market tanks and we lose our savings. When burglars break in and steal our possessions. When death visits our loved ones. Whatever the circumstances are in our lives that make us question God... may we remember Job. His perspective is the right one! Will it hurt? Sure. Will we cry? Probably. Will we continue to trust our Creator? I hope so!
Sometimes our lives are running smoothly, everything is good...the hedge of protection is strong. At other times, we are faced with tragedy and the bumps of life are big... the hedge of protection is still strong! We live in a broken world. Sin has had it's effect and our lives show the scars. But, in all of the struggles, in all of the lose, in all of the pain... God is still there. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake. (Deut 31:6) He will never leave nor forsake you!
May we choose to worship in the storms of life! There is a great little song that comes to mind while I contemplate these verses. Casting Crowns gives their take on our response when tragedy comes our way... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjZBZv_771o
In Chapter 1, we are introduced to Job. He is a great man of faith and has received Gods' blessings in all areas of his life. He is husband, father, businessman, leader, servant, teacher and faithful follower of God. To quote the text, "He was the greatest man among all the people of the East". He is presented to us as the nearly perfect man. Of course we know he had his faults, but they are not in view in the introduction.
After a short introduction to the man, we are taken on a quick trip to the throne room of God. His angels are assembling for a meeting and Satan shows up. Seems like an odd assembly. Satan tells God that he has been checking out the earth and God says, "Did you notice Job? He is a nearly perfect servant of Mine".
Satan gives an interesting response... "Do you think he does all that out of the goodness of his heart? He does that because you pamper him!".
A couple of things worth noting. First, Satan recognizes that blessings are from God. Job has received God's provision and protection. Secondly, Satan questions whether Job is a righteous man because of the blessings. Two things to ponder as you move forward in Job... is Job good because of what God has done for him or is God blessing Job because he is good?
God turns Satan loose to remove the blessings to examine the character of Job. Without the stuff, is Job going to lose faith? When the wealth is gone, when the family is gone does faith leave him? And so it begins, one messenger after another bringing him the bad news of catastrophe. His possessions gone, his children dead and his life changed in ways that we have seen at times around the world. Earthquake, tsunami, hurricane, tornado; events that forever alter the lives of those involved.
When these events happen, those of great character rise to the occasion. I am always amazed when the woman who stands among the ruins of her life with only the cloths on her back and talks about starting over and how thankful she is to have survived. Or, the man digging through the rubble of his home looking for the bodies of his loved ones, yet remains hopeful that life will still bring good things.
Job responds to the lose of family and wealth this way, Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped: Naked I came from my mother’s womb, naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth. God gives, God takes. God’s name be ever blessed. Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. He worships God. (silence for a moment of thought) He worships God!
In his response, Job forces us to remember that what we have here, on Earth is not all there is. When the stock market tanks and we lose our savings. When burglars break in and steal our possessions. When death visits our loved ones. Whatever the circumstances are in our lives that make us question God... may we remember Job. His perspective is the right one! Will it hurt? Sure. Will we cry? Probably. Will we continue to trust our Creator? I hope so!
Sometimes our lives are running smoothly, everything is good...the hedge of protection is strong. At other times, we are faced with tragedy and the bumps of life are big... the hedge of protection is still strong! We live in a broken world. Sin has had it's effect and our lives show the scars. But, in all of the struggles, in all of the lose, in all of the pain... God is still there. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake. (Deut 31:6) He will never leave nor forsake you!
May we choose to worship in the storms of life! There is a great little song that comes to mind while I contemplate these verses. Casting Crowns gives their take on our response when tragedy comes our way... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjZBZv_771o
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