Job and friends

Job is a hard book!  Why?  I believe it is difficult because it makes us examine our preconceived ideas, notions, and assumptions about God and “why bad things happen to good people.”  We must get God out of our neat, organized box.  His ways are NOT our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

Satan, the accuser of God’s people, (Revelation 12:7-12, Zechariah 3:1)   is standing before the omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent God to “tattle” on Job as if God is unaware of all that is happening on planet earth. (Jeremiah 29:11)  Ludicrous really!  Like a squabbling sibling, Satan marches into the throne room of the Almighty (does this not blow you away?) to point out Job’s faults and even accuse God of enabling Job.  This is either the gutsiest thing ever or utter stupidity born out of arrogance and pride.  My vote is the latter rather than the former. (Isaiah 14:15; Ezekiel 28:16-17)

Job is blessed in every area of his life.  Job reveres God.  Job is thankful.  This has Satan pretty ticked off.  Satan tells God, “the only reason Job “fears” You is because You bless everything he touches (Job 1:10).  Job has the midas touch.  It is easy to bless God when all is going well. Right?  Or do we usually just ignore Him?

I admit, I do not find it difficult to bless the Lord, to sing His praises, give to others, smile, be positive, have a good outlook on life, etc when all is going according to MY plan.  It is a bit more challenging, actually, nearly impossible to let what comes flowing out of my mouth be all peaches and cream when life suddenly takes an unexpected, unwelcome, and costly turn.

Satan comes to God to point out this fact.  But take a look back a few verses; what do you notice? (Job 1:1-8)  Verse six points out that angels “came to present themselves to God and Satan came too!”  The one thrown out of Heaven for his ingratitude still has access to the Almighty’s presence.  Now this encourages me!   Now, really look at verse eight.  Who actually brought Job up in the conversation to begin with?  Yep, the LORD did!  The Creator of the universe always has a purpose, a plan, and a path in mind for all He does.

This scares me! This conversation between the LORD and Satan is going to cost Job his wealth, his family, his health, and show him he has less than knowledgeable friends. But wait, isn’t this God’s ultimate compliment?  My first reaction:  “Run, Forrest, run!” when the LORD points me out to the accuser.  My second reaction:  WOW! Maybe I am doing something right.

Listen to what God said:  “My servant,”  “none like him on earth,” “blameless,”  “upright,” “fears God,” “shuns evil.”   Six compliments in one sentence.  Who would not like to hear this?

The LORD is placing Job in His curio cabinet on display for the the enemy of our souls to study. Job is on a pedestal.   God knows what Job will endure, say, and do.  So, why would God choose to do this?  Job 42:1-6 gives us the answer.  A deeper relationship with God Himself for Job.

This is the reason we can “give thanks in ALL things.”  God is in the details molding us into the individuals He has created us to be and bringing us into a deeper fellowship and understanding of who God the Father is.  God already knew what was in Job’s heart.  It is Job who says, “My ears had heard of You but now my eyes have seen You.”  (Job 42:5)

With our God there is no plan B.  He says in Job 28:28, “Behold, fear of the LORD , that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.”  This is repeated by Solomon in Proverbs 1:9 and Proverbs 9:10.  I want to be wise.  I need to understand.  This is where God Himself says start:  fear the LORD your God.  I stand in awe!

I Stand in Awe of YOU

“Lord, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, Lord. Repeat them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy.” Habakkuk 3:2

Treading in good company,