Job's sons and daughters were having a feast in the home of his oldest son, when someone rushed up to Job and said, “While your servants were plowing with your oxen, and your donkeys were nearby eating grass, a gang of Sabeans attacked and stole the oxen and donkeys! Your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
That servant was still speaking, when a second one came running and said, “God sent down a fire that killed your sheep and your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
Before that servant finished speaking, a third one raced up and said, “Three gangs of Chaldeans attacked and stole your camels! All of your other servants were killed, and I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
That servant was still speaking, when a fourth one dashed up and said, “Your children were having a feast and drinking wine at the home of your oldest son, when suddenly a windstorm from the desert blew the house down, crushing all of your children. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.”
When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said:
“We bring nothing at birth;
we take nothing
with us at death.
The Lord alone gives and takes.
Praise the name of the Lord!”
In spite of everything, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing wrong.
Job 1:13-22
As I write these words it was a little more than 12 hours ago that a tornado ripped through Moore, Oklahoma killing at least 51 people including many children. There is a video of a man who came out of his house with his camera running and as he looked at the pile of rubble that only a few minutes before was his house he quoted Job and said: "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away!"
When tragedy struck your life, and if there hasn't been one there certainly will be, what did you say to God? Did you cry out to God for help or did you scream out at God and blame Him for not keeping you from this suffering? Did you, like Job turn toward Heaven when all Hell broke loose in your life, or did you accuse God of doing wrong?
And what will you say to God the next time you are crushed in the wine press of life? Be ready for tragedy by planning what you will say to God when it happens. Job's words would be most appropriate:
"When Job heard this, he tore his clothes and shaved his head because of his great sorrow. He knelt on the ground, then worshiped God and said:
We bring nothing at birth;
we take nothing with us at death.
The Lord alone gives and takes.
Praise the name of the Lord."
"Lord Jesus I don't understand the pain and suffering of this life, but I love You more than life itself. Help me to praise You when I am filled with joy and praise You when I am crushed with sorrow. Thank you Jesus. Amen."
No comments:
Post a Comment