Job
Thursday, 23 February 2012 00:00
Job had an exemplary track record and still he was knocked down. Some people live fast and play loose with the rules and get what they deserve. Not Job: he got a large portion of undeserved suffering. He lost children through natural disasters. He lost everything he ever worked for through unforeseen circumstances. His marriage took the strain of his faith. And to top it all: the doctor's results came in, and it wasn't good news at all.
Job's 'ad-man's dream life' was flushed away and he was left with lots of questions-questions he may never have found answers for, this side of Heaven anyway. Job was bewildered; Job was outraged; Job eventually protested to God. But still the pain ate away at his heart. And in the midst of his suffering his pain was hammered home daily by his 'friends'.
Ever notice how some people slow down to look at a car crash? Well, that's Job's 'I told you so' mates. They showed up hourly trying to identify and fix Job's problems. They reduced God's invitation to follow Him into sure-fire formulas of 'do this and don't do that', 'think this and don't think that'. Hey presto, life is bound to be rosy again. Zophar even went as far as to suggest: 'You will forget your trouble and darkness will seem like morning.' (Job 11:16 NCV) To Job's credit, he rejects all the glib answers and stays honest in the face of old clich. His persistence allows God, in time, to talk through the troubles.
SoulFood: Num 27-29, Matt 17:14-27, Ps 40:1-8, Pr 6:1-5
word4U2day (an adaptation of The Word for Today authored by Bob & Debby Gass) is published under licence by UCB Australia. 2012 UCB International Ltd
