SEASONS OF COMFORT AND CALAMITY
Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees. —Job 4:3-4
Therefore I will not keep silent; I will speak out in the anguish of my spirit, I will complain in the bitterness of my soul. —Job 7:11
The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just. —Psalm 37:30
Job was “in the anguish of my spirit” with all that happened to him. He lost everything. His—
- His 500 yokes of oxen were stolen by the Sabeans
- His 500 donkeys were stolen by the Sabeans
- His servants watching them were killed except one
- His 7,000 sheep were burned up by fire from the heavens
- His servants watching them were killed except one
- His 3,000 camels were stolen by the Chaldeans
- His servants watching them were killed except one
- His 7 son and three daughters all died in a wind storm that collapsed the house they were in
- His servant was the only one who survived
Someone might say, “Why does God allow evil things to happen to good people?” At least that is what we would say as we look back at the story of Job. His friends at the time believed Job was getting what he deserves, thinking he had done some evil and that is why this was happening to him. But even though we may have many questions as we consider the life of Job, one thing is certain, Job loved God because he loved God. It was not because of what he had that caused him to love God. He just loved God. That does not mean while in the anguish of spirit that he did not have questions for God or thoughts about God, but he still loved God. Nor did it mean that he did not complain. Who wouldn’t? Look at all that happened to him!
Job was a man who had fulfilled what Psalm 37:30 states— “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.” Even Job’s “friend” said to Job— “Think how you have instructed many, how you have strengthened feeble hands. Your words have supported those who stumbled; you have strengthened faltering knees.” Yes, it could be said of Job that “The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.” And yet, there are seasons in our lives that are most difficult and we may never understand why they happen. Maybe in glory we will have the understanding, but there is much we do not understand now. We are not told if Job ever understood why the things happen to him, but we know that he did say—
“I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” —Job 42:2-6
Oh, that we would trust God when things are going well and also when we are in a season that may be very difficult. Yes, Dear Father, may this be so by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the authority of Your Precious Son Jesus. So may it be for Your honor and glory! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dB4eC55dh-U&list=RDdB4eC55dh-U&start_radio=1