January 4th - Day 4
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January 4th
Job (chapters 1-5) is our reading for the day. Tradition says Moses wrote this narrative 500+years after the Tower of Babel incident. Perhaps when Moses was living in the Midian Desert close to the city of Uz, he learned the legend of the only righteous man doing life with God in those days. Inspired by the Spirit of God, Moses wrote of Job’s life message...” Trust God and His Sovereign Wisdom and Goodness, no matter what happens.”
Two verses got my attention quickly. “Will Job serve God for nothing?”
And “In all of this Job did not sin and he did not charge God with wrong.”
Will people of true faith in God for their salvation serve the Lord even when they are suffering? Satan didn't think so and all those under his influence didn't think so either. But our reading leads us to a powerful truth. True faith in God may be shaken, but never broken. For the source of our faith is Almighty God Himself...not just our strong will and determined resolve.
“And in all this, Job did not sin. And he did not charge God with wrong.”
What was the “all of this?” Well, In one day, Job lost his property and businesses to thieves and fires caused by lightning. In that same day, Job lost his seven sons and three daughters to a tornado that flattened the house where they were partying. In all of this, Job did not sin and he didn't accuse God of wrongfully dealing with his family. Even when his wife told him to “curse God for this and die”, Job still didn't sin or blame God. In fact, he said to his distraught wife, “Shall we receive good from God, and not receive adversity?” The record says that Job humbled himself and worshiped God...and then remained quiet in sackcloth and ashes for seven days. During those days friends sat quietly with him and then at the end of seven days, Job burst forth in agony and grief, even wishing that he had never been born. “And the best man living in that day closed out his agonizing with the following “ O what I feared has come upon me...what I dread has befallen me. I have no rest only trouble comes.”
Was Job hurting? Absolutely. Was he overwhelmed by waves of grief? Absolutely. Did Job turn from God? No. He had some unanswered questions, but he never lost his faith. As courageous as that sounds...Job worshipped God in the midst and through his grief.
Do you see or hear any foreshadowing to our Savior Lord Jesus? I do. Listen to Jesus ...it was a prayer time in the garden...”The time has come for the Son to glorify the Father” (as he considered the coming suffering of the cross)...”Father, if there is a way, let this cup pass from me, yet not my will but yours be done” (shortly before he gave himself over to the mob who came to take him to Caiphas)...(and then from the bloody cross right before his death)...”Father forgive them, for they know not what they have done...now into your hands I commend my spirit.”
From one of the great patriarchs of our faith (Job) to the source of our faith and the gift of eternal life, Jesus Christ...the first shows us a lesson of faith. The last empowers us to an eternal faith...from here to heaven...”Thanks, Job...But thank you, Jesus...You will always be better!”