When I was in California, for three weeks I attended a church where the Pastor was preaching a series on the book of Job. I want to confess, that although I “love the Word of God” – Job has never been one of the books that I “meditated on day and night”. Even as a romantic at heart, and I GET the “love” at the end of the book, it’s the chapters before the end that are hard to deal with. I so-o-o remember feeling like Job, and I don’t choose to be reminded of those days. As, is the case, with everything in God’s economy – He doesn’t cause anything to come into our purview that we don’t need. After I returned home, and saw that nearly every day I was beset with a new challenge, well… And as the challenges have continued, almost daily, I want to say “thank-you Lord” - for the book of Job!
The greatest lesson for me is not the “yes” Job gave to God to patiently endure his afflictions without cursing God, (although I think this is important for all of us instant coffee Christians today) or the way he was able to take the accusations of his wife and ”friends” and maintain his integrity and faith in God. I believe that the greatest lesson we can learn from Job is to know that first of all, God is sovereign – if He releases us to a season of being tried and tested – we really have not right to question that; after all, we never question His Hand when we are in a season of abundant blessing. Yet there is something else evident to me, that even in the season when Job was in the hands of satan – God was yet blessing Job, for he was bringing him into a place of greater revelation and insight:
1Then the LORD answered Job from the whirlwind:
2 “Who is this that questions my wisdom
with such ignorant words?
3 Brace yourself like a man,
because I have some questions for you,
and you must answer them. Job 38:1-3 (NLT)
For the next three chapters, God takes the stage and puts Job on trial. And when He finishes, this is what He asks Job:
1Then the LORD said to Job,
2 “Do you still want to argue with the Almighty?
You are God’s critic, but do you have the answers?” Job 40:1-2 (NLT)
Even as I write this, I hear the words from the book of Lamentations:
It is of the LORD’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lamentations 3:22 (KJV)
How many of us as we are seemingly “enduring” the tests and trials of this life, make accusation in our heart that God is not fair, that we really don’t deserve what we’re going through? And when all is said and done, we find that we are judging God?
As I reflected on this current set of circumstances that I find myself in, when all was said and done – I realize that what is at work is something far greater than my “temporary discomfort”; what is at work is God’s love – gently, tenderly, and with great compassion and mercy, bringing me to a place where I recognize that there is nothing greater than the love He is trying to work in me, and that I have a great way to go to even begin to match the greatest lover of them all, my Father, God.
Blessings and Love,
Maria
Awesome word Maria. My soul still says yes, no matter what the test. I may be down but not out. I may be downcast but I am not destroyed. For I am persuaded that we are more than conquerers through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen!
Hello and Blessings to you and your husband! We met a year ago at Eagle Ridge Resort in Galena. Please send me an email if you can.
We’d like to find out if you and your husband are available to join us in presenting at our upcoming marriage retreat next month. Sorry for the short notice…I finally found your website after umpteenth tries!
—Kim
So truly stated and beautifully put with much wisdom.
For while I’m complaining about the slow traffic He is prevently me from a serious accident…up the road…..I get it!
Love you