10/17/07 - Life Journal - The Faith of Job
Job 1:21
Then his wife said to him, "Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!" But he said to her, "You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good fom God and not accept adversity?"
Job 2:9,10
Job was "blameless, upright, fearing God and turning away from evil"; plus very well off. Satan basically went before God and said, "Well duh, of course he's so 'wonderful', you've given Him everything." God then gave satan permission (he couldn't do it on his own) to "touch all he has" (children, livestock, land) and Job responded with verse 1:21! Satan regrouped and said, "OK, but he still has his health, anyone would trade anything not to die." So God gave Job over to be afflicted by satan, but not as far as taking his life. The first thing out of his wife's mouth was, "Would you get it over with? Die already! How can you still stand by God? Curse Him!" Job, covered in boils from head to toe responded with verse 2:10.
If I lost everything would I have Job's faith to see through the tragedy and praise him, that He is using these trials for His Glory? Or if cursed with a horrible affliction be thankful for blessings passed? God wants nothing to come against us but will use the evil satan has let loose in this world. It can make us stronger in spirit or break us to a point where our only hope is to turn to Him. If there was no bad times how would we even recognize the good? Like spoiled children we'd live life expecting more, not having known the humble suffering of having less. I don't know anyone except my mother-in-law with a faith such as this. I'm trying through study and prayer to get there. On our journey to become more like Jesus, Job's example isn't a bad waystation on our route.
Lord, build my faith, though you may forbid, if in any tragic circumstance, I can stand with Job, blessing your name always.
No comments:
Post a Comment