Ever feel like you are living in a country music song? Where if the events in your life were played backwards, “Ya get your house back, ya get your dog back, ya get your best friend Jack back, ya get your truck back, ya get your hair back, ya get your first and second wives back….”
Today our text comes from a guy who has such a story. Job. We are going to start out with some Job 38:4-11, and then you get as a reward, 10 chicken nuggets for the soul. The verses I share will come from all over the bible not just from Job, just like chicken nuggets aren’t just from chicken.
Over the summer we have experienced many wins and more losses. Charis was in a car accident, we lost our 2 dearly loved cats, had the amazing opportunity to love on 2 precious girls for 4+ months, Karlie and Riley, only to lose them too quickly. I had my car broken into 3 times, and we got pregnant only to lose the child. They timing and circumstances that surround all of these have been clearly from the Lord.
By no means are we in the league of Job, we are in junior high to him being in the Major leagues. “Mo money - mo problems,” -Biggy Smalls. Paul quoted Greek poets, but I think there are lessons we can learn from Biggy.
Job was righteous, everything he touch prospered, and he was picked out to be tested. He lost his livestock (job), servants, and children - and he received horrible advice of his friends and wife. Job starts strong in his response. Job 1:21, “The Lord gives and Lord takes away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” He goes on to wane a little bit. He even curses the day he was born. God shows up as a tornado and responds by telling Job to be brave and respond:
Job 38:4-11, "4 Were you there when I made the world? If you know so much, tell me about it. 5 Who decided how large it would be? Who stretched the measuring line over it? Do you know all the answers? 6 What holds up the pillars that support the earth? Who laid the cornerstone of the world? 7 In the dawn of that day the stars sang together, and the heavenly beings shouted for joy. 8 Who closed the gates to hold back the sea when it burst from the womb of the earth? 9 It was I who covered the sea with clouds and wrapped it in darkness. 10 I marked a boundary for the sea and kept it behind bolted gates. 11 I told it, "So far and no farther! Here your powerful waves must stop."
Job answered:
Job 40:3-5, "I'm speechless, in awe—words fail me. I should never have opened my mouth! I’ve talked too much, way too much. I'm ready to shut up and listen."
Job 42:2 "I'm convinced: You can do anything and everything. Nothing and no one can upset your plans. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?' I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head. 4 You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking. Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.' 5 I admit I once lived by rumors of you; now I have it all firsthand - from my own eyes and ears! 6 I'm sorry - forgive me. I'll never do that again, I promise! I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay, crumbs of rumor."
There are multiple passages in the Bible that show that testing of our faith and trials are a part of the believer’s path. While everyone wants to have the power of Paul, the faith of Abraham, the wealth of Job, the heart of David - very few want to go through, instead of around, the difficulties that mold us into the character of Christ. I guess we, as North American Christians, love the American dream and the life of comfort - myself included. The avoidance of pain and the life of material abundance can become guidelines and goals apart from Christ. But, as we see from Christ’s example we are called to a different way, a path that often has hurt, pain, suffering, and in some cases obedience even to the point of death.
Over this summer, I have learned and been reminded of many lessons which include:
1. I have a horrible habit of trying to control when I’m not in control of much. I had the opportunity to observe someone who had to have their way all the time, and they were in relentless pursuit of control, narcissistic, disrespectful, etc. Lord, I apologize for the times I have acted this way myself.
2. As a father and husband, you have to do what is right, but it is hard sometimes. God does that with us too. Matthew 7:11, “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him.”
3. I’m dependent on God - not others - to bring me comfort. Even though much of the time the Church has been really good to us, people will often disappoint you (Jeremiah 8:18)
4. I can guarantee nothing, but can believe God for great things-Prov 16:9, “In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps.”
5. I have also learned that God is trustworthy- He died on the tree for me. If I can’t trust Him, whom can I trust? Proverbs 30:5, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him. He resume speaks for itself.” Heb 13:5, “For God has said, ‘I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.’"
6. I am not the ultimate protector and defender of my family, God is. Is 19:20
7. Love hurts - just as God’s love hurt Him by have to kill His son for our sin, so our love for others will sometimes hurt us. Losing the girls was incredibly hard on our hearts, loving our unborn child today hurts, loving my wife as she hurts - hurts.
8. Love is wonderful. Receiving love from others who show us compassion, understanding, offering prayers on our behalf has been overwhelming, and we have been overwhelmed by God’s love through the Spirit comfort expressed by people.
9. God is not pessimistic. If He will work all things out for our good and His glory, how can a pessimistic attitude be an attribute of God or the believer. It’s not or should not be, respectively.
10. You can be joyful in your affliction- Charis and I got to share a fun moment as we were checking in and prepping for her D&C. We were able to make jokes and laugh so hard our stomachs hurt with the nurses at the surgery center. Much like Paul and Silas in jail, I think the Lord gave us so much comfort that we were able to have freedom to laugh, singing in the face of despair and hopelessness.
Our troubles are like rain clouds, even though the strong winds may blow, the cloud is filled with darkness, the conditions are bleak the sun is still shining above the storm. The dark clouds will one day pass and the sky will break forth with light, the blessings from the storm will spring up and last way beyond the storm.
Opportunities will come up in our lives where we can empathize in new and profound ways. We can say with confidence that the Lord loves us and cares for us and has plans for us that are good and He will be glorified. Often when we don’t understand the why’s we look for ways out or doubt. I think we are being strengthened by the testing of our faith to trust in the unseen. Just like a weight lifter builds his muscles by exercise our faith, which is a gift, is tested and strengthened by exercise.
As you’ve probably read in one of our previous blogs, a man at our church comforted us the day we lost the girls with a story about a red bicycle and a blue scooter. Now that the red bicycle has ridden by us, and so the blue scooter has scooted by, what’s next…. a Harley?
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