Wednesday - A Test of Faith

Happy Wednesday to you! Yesterday, I made a trip to Grove to get my osteoporosis shot. I also got the results from my latest scan and they were not very good. Sometimes, these bodies of ours just don’t hold up like they should. I don’t have boils and I’m not in pain, but on some level, I find myself relating to Job. And also unlike Job, I probably brought some of my calamities on myself—drinking too much caffeine, not enough calcium, etc. But still, as I read though the pages of Job, I find myself thinking some of the same thoughts. And, then I realize this book is about so much more than misfortune and suffering. 


To paraphrase Philip Yancey, a cake is not “about” eggs, flour, shortening, and sugar but rather those are the things a baker uses to create a cake. In the same way, the book of Job is not “about” loss, suffering, and illness, but rather uses these ingredients for the author to explain the story. If we look at Job as an entire book, it’s about faith—of one man who was chosen to undergo an enormous amount of suffering by trial. And in the end, Job’s message applies not only to those who are suffering, but to every person who has ever lived on this planet. 


“and [Job] said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.”” Job‬ ‭1:21‬ ‭NIV


““But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last. And after my body has decayed, yet in my body I will see God! I will see him for myself. Yes, I will see him with my own eyes. I am overwhelmed at the thought!”

‭‭Job‬ ‭19:25-27‬ ‭NLT‬‬


‬‬So the very best man on earth suffered the worst possible tragedies, felt sorry for himself and questioned God, yet in the end never lost his faith. Sometimes, we like to put God on trial and have Him give a defense for wars and disasters and even difficulties in our own lives. But as Job says in the end...


““I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me....I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.””

‭‭Job‬ ‭42:2-3, 6‬ ‭NLT‬‬


The book of Job doesn’t answer all our questions about why bad things happen to good people, but the truth of the matter is, God was not on trial for that question. Job was on trial to see if he would still love God. Satan tried to insinuate that God wasn’t worthy of love on Is own merits—only if blessings were showered. and as we all know, it IS easier when things are going well, but actually, in our deepest places, that’s when we need Him the most. 


God of heaven and earth, thank you for your lesson in Job. Forgive us when we question you and teach us to build our faith in those situations. We love you and we are determined to praise you in the storms. What a marvelous God you are to shed your mercy and grace on us—a people who are not deserving of your blessings, yet you freely pour them out. You are good, you are peace, you are hope, you are light and you are joy! Hallelujah to our God! We ask for your touch to those hurting or fighting battles this day. Go before them Lord and make the way clear. Praise Jehovah Jirah! Amen and amen. 


Love you dear one,

Pam





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