Who, in all of Scripture, can model for us how to face and endure unexpected calamity, terror, and disaster in a way that increases our faith and diminishes our fear? Job. He was a God-fearing man who inspired his family toward increasing devotion to God. From the outset of he and his wife’s life together, he had made clear that he would obey God in all things…and God blessed him. He was a man of integrity and character. No one could find fault in him there. As an entrepreneur his agricultural businesses thrived. He steadily amassed property and livestock and was able to employee fifty other men so that they too could provide for their family. He was a kind boss who not only paid well but also considered his employees a part of his family. He respected them, and they loved him, so they worked diligently to make his enterprise one of, if not the most successful in the country. He and his wife had seven sons who grew up healthy, intelligent, gifted, and God-fearing. They had earned leadership roles in the family business as they started their own families. His three daughters married winsome men that mirrored the character of their father. These ten siblings and their wives enjoyed each other’s company and spent the weekends and holidays celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and religious festivals in a rotation of their homes. It was a father’s and mother’s dream come true! Afterward, the couple would often sit in the calm of the evening talk of how perfect their life seemed. Their love for each other was genuine and deep; they had seven sons (the perfect number) and three (another perfect number) daughters. They all enjoyed being together. Their finances were in order. Their health was…healthy. Their relationships were fulfilling. They were respected and well-liked in the community, and secretly gave of their wealth to serve others. Sure, there were little disputes and arguments but never anything major. And now, they had young grandchildren bringing even more life to their family get-togethers and a promise that the family legacy would continue. Life was good. God was good. As they were putting the finishing touches on their planning for a twenty-fifth wedding anniversary get-away, there was a knock at the door. “We’ve. Been. Attacked! The entire oxen and donkey division and all of the workers are lost. The Sabeans took the herds and slaughtered the men. I’m the only one to escape.” As he was still speaking, another messenger—bleeding, exhausted, and crying came running to the house. “It was surreal. One minute everything was normal and then out of nowhere fire fell from heaven and the fields were engulfed in flames. There was no place to run. The heat was intense. All is lost. Every sheep and every servant is dead. I am the only one left. Job and his wife were in shock. A lifetime of wise investments, hard work, and training, lost in an instant. All that they had worked for and planned for—dreamed about, shattered. And the men—their families—how would they be provided for now? How could he even begin to tell them the horrific news? This was the worst day of Job’s life. He couldn’t speak—he could only stand and stare as the man relayed the terrifying story. And, as he stared, his eyes caught a glimpse of another figure on the horizon, running toward them—“I know him,” thought Job. “He is one of my eldest son’s servants. Why is he here?” The man fell at the feet of Job and his wife weeping. “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at your oldest son’s house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped.” This was more than anyone could bear. The agonizing wails of a mother who loses one child is haunting enough, but the depth of despair and cries of a mother who loses all ten of her children in a single moment is beyond words. Two eerily timed and pinpoint natural disasters synchronized with an unexpected raid by evil men shattered Job’s life. He was broke and broken. His soul lay bare and exposed by the cascading calamities. And in the midst of the disaster he spoke these words: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; May the name of the Lord be praised. In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.” But it didn’t get easier for Job, it got worse. Behind the eternal scenes Satan spewed evil slander: “The only reason that Job hasn’t turned his heart against you is because you didn’t allow me to touch him. Strike his flesh and bones and he will curse you.” And on that day, Job was afflicted with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head. Mental turmoil; emotional anguish; spiritual darkness; physical agony. The compounding disasters were more than his wife could bear—“Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” Now he was losing his wife! What is happening?! And yet even in all of this, Job did not sin in what he said. Disaster may very well strike you and those you love; and it will hurt. As believers in God we are neither immune to nor exempt from the prospect of disaster. Our faith is not built upon the promise of smooth sailing untouched by the world, but our faith is founded upon the Person and Presence of Jesus in and through the storm and a Better Hope as a citizen in heaven.
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Which is larger: the moon or the sun?
The sun course! In fact, it is 400 times bigger! (I looked it up) So how in the world did the moon eclipse the sun in August? How did an object that is 400 times smaller obscure the sun? Answer: By being uniquely positioned 400 times closer to our eyes. Which is larger: God or our fears? God of course! God is infinitely bigger than my fears or my problems! (I didn't even have to look it up!) So how in the world do my fears eclipse my faith in God? Answer: I need to follow Paul's advice in his letter to the Colossians. "Set your hearts on things above where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above and not on earthly things. For you died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life appears, you also will appear with him in glory." Colossians 3:1-4 When I fail to intentionally set my eyes on Jesus, I allow my fears overwhelm me and paralyze me. What I need to do is to recite the words of the psalmist in Psalm 56: "When I am afraid I put my trust in you." What about you? Photo: My friend Matt Harbison who resides in Chattanooga, Tennessee is an accomplished astro-photographer. His photograph of the Ring of Fire is amazing! Here's an article in the Chattanooga Free Press written a few years ago that you may find interesting. This photo is used with his permission. |
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