Annie
Scriptures: Book of Job Psalm 18:19
For many reasons, the book of Job in our Bible fascinates me. Initially that it is, chronologically, the first book of the Bible and contains enigmatic references to strange and mighty beasts. But it is the playing out of a drama that runs the gamut of trauma, bereavement, financial loss, sickness and, from some quarters, derision and scorn, then the final amazing revelation of God’s grace and sovereign love, that makes this history so gripping.
In the times we live in, the events surrounding the life of Job would make headlines across the world. There would be livestreamed news broadcasts, “tweets”, in depth interviews and a myriad of comments on every sphere of social media. Such is our lifestyle. We not only have our own trauma, our own grief and stress, to deal with, we are exposed to everyone else’s from all corners of the world. Is it any wonder that deteriorating mental health is rife amongst all levels of society?
When Job lost all, when his own health became the straw that broke his back, at first, he appeared to stoically accept all the loss, both of his children and his finances. It was only when his three friends began to surmise that he must have done some evil to have brought about all this distress, that he really lost his temper with God and began remonstrating with Him. All Job could see was that God had got it wrong, that there was no way that he, Job, had done anything to deserve all that had happened.
As we read this amazing book, keeping our eyes and hearts open to whatever God wants us to learn, how much of ourselves do we recognise in the attitude and behaviour of Job? When our lives seem to be dissolving into exhausting stress, with too many things to do and not enough time to do them, even the smallest thing can tip us over the edge into despair. And when we are subjected to all of the world’s trauma and struggles being played out from every form of media available, our own struggle is compounded. We may not use the words that accuse God of making some error in His plan for us, but our attitude can so easily do so.
So, how did Job change from a desperate, angry man who could only see God almost as some sort of tyrant, into the man who says “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
Through His Grace and absolute love for him, God challenged Job, demonstrating that He and He alone holds the world together, down to the smallest detail. Job listened as God laid out example after example of His wonderful creative genius. Job was presented with the intricacy that is involved in what we take so much for granted – the staggering beauty of each, unique snowflake, the perfection in the timing it takes each creature to grow to be born at its full potential for survival. The list in chapters 38 to 41 goes on and on as God reveals to Job His power, His authority and His sovereign control over everything.
This is not the tirade of a despot. This is the loving assurance being clearly spelled out that, no matter what Job may be going through, he is totally under the watchful eye of the One and Only Creator of all, and that he is safe.
It is as this assurance becomes reality for Job, that he finds stillness in the midst of all the chaos that has surrounded him. As the Voice of God cuts through the fear, the anger and the tumult, Job finds himself at the only place of peace that matters. He is, always has been and always will be held in the strong, loving arms of Father God.
Prayer: Abba Father, when all around us seems to be disintegrating and totally lost, grant us the boldness to seek Your Face, knowing that You will always deliver us because You delight in us, eternally. In Jesus Name, by the power of Holy Spirit we pray, Amen.