We won’t always understand the “why” behind the “what”—but we can learn to trust the “Who."
I find that I often think that if I could just understand the reason behind my pain that I could endure it with much more grace. But the fact is that more often than not the "why" remains a hidden mystery. Job certainly didn't have the benefit of insight into his pain. He had no idea that he was the topic of a divine conversation taking place in heaven. He was given no special word from the Lord to forewarn him and advise him of the ensuing calamity. Fortunately, we do. In chapter 1 and 2 we are told that the reason that Job suffers such pain is that God allowed Satan to push Job to the brink of despair. The conversation went something like this: God: “Have you considered my servant Job? He is upright and righteous and without fault.” Satan: "Of course he is,” Satan taunts—"life is working for him—he’s living the dream! But if you allowed me to remove all of those things, he’d curse you." Then in a synchronized Satanic attack, Job was robbed of his wealth (all of his livestock, and all of his employees were lost to a raid by the Sabeans while simultaneously a firestorm in the fields completely burned the remaining animals and servants); and all of his children perished as a tornado picked up the four corners of his eldest sons home where all of Job’s children were gathered to eat, and crushed the party. And yet in all of that Job did not sin or curse God. In Chapter 2, God once invites Satan into a follow-up conversation: God: "What do you think now? Job still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” Satan: "You wouldn’t let me touch him—let me touch him, let me let him feel the pain, then you’ll hear him curse you!" And as Job mourned the losses of family and wealth, Satan was permitted to ravage Job with a painful skin disease that tormented him from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. And yet in all of this, Job did not sin or curse God—though at this point his wife begged him to do so and seek death. Satan was convinced that Job found his “life” and satisfaction in the good things, in the blessings of God—in the second things—but not in God Himself. God knew otherwise. We may never have to endure the level of sudden and intense suffering of Job, but then again, we may. Job begins a painful journey to joy that begins with a step into despair and says: I won’t always understand the “why” behind the “what”—but I can learn to trust the “Who.” How will we respond?
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Job 16:12
“All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me.” Job 17:11 “My days have passed, my plans are shattered, and so are the desires of my heart.” She had all she’d ever dreamed of…a husband who loved her and loved God. He worked hard to provide for her; protected her and made her feel safe—secure. That’s what a woman needs isn’t it? Security. That’s what a good husband provides isn’t it? Protection. Safety. They had a good life. He was a God-fearing man who inspired her toward increasing devotion to God. From the outset of their 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. She was drawn to his strength and his commitment to God. 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 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. Life was working for them—Job and his wife. All they had to do was keep following God and everything would be good. They would often say to each other in their private conversations, “If only other people could understand this principle, then they too could have a life that works rather than a life that is falling apart at the seams.” 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 the oldest brother’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 language. 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 cascade of catastrophic calamity. And yet 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. It didn’t get easier for Job, it got worse. Behind the eternal scenes Satan spewed his 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 and emotional anguish; spiritual darkness; physical agony. It was 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. |
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