Lessons from Job.

Recently, when feeling quite frustrated with my current health-situation, I have referenced Job. Job's story is found in the Old Testament of the Bible - he was a a Godly man: generous, kind, righteous and integral. For this reason, he is the target of Satan's attack. In an attempt to cause this "Godly man" to curse his Lord, Satan causes him to lose his children, his wealth, and eventually his own health. Greatly afflicted with health problems (including boils all over his skin), Job is visited by 3 "friends. They urge Job repeatedly to "repent of his sin", for clearly this is God's punishment! Job argues with them, telling them that he really has nothing to confess - he has lived a life which glorifies God. Basically he says "I haven't done anything wrong. I don't understand why God is doing this to me; why He hasn't answered my prayers." He is upset. Frustrated. Confused. That's how I've felt. I understand that Job's situation was MUCH worse than what I am going through, but I have related to his lamenting more than once...

... and then I read the end of the book - an extremely humbling experience, I assure you.

Job has basically said "I don't deserve this" when he receives this response from God...

Chapter 38
1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the storm. He said:
2 "Who is this that darkens my counsel
with words without knowledge?

3 Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

4 "Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.

5 Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?

6 On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone..."

On to Chapter 40...

...2 "Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct him?
Let him who accuses God answer him!"

3 Then Job answered the LORD :

4 "I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?
I put my hand over my mouth.

5 I spoke once, but I have no answer—
twice, but I will say no more."

6 Then the LORD spoke to Job out of the storm:

7 "Brace yourself like a man;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.

8 "Would you discredit my justice?
Would you condemn me to justify yourself?"

9 Do you have an arm like God's,
and can your voice thunder like his?

10 Then adorn yourself with glory and splendor,
and clothe yourself in honor and majesty.

11 Unleash the fury of your wrath,
look at every proud man and bring him low,

12 look at every proud man and humble him,
crush the wicked where they stand.

13 Bury them all in the dust together;
shroud their faces in the grave.

14 Then I myself will admit to you
that your own right hand can save you."


Basically, God is saying "you don't deserve this? Who are you? Do you deserve ANY of what I have given you? Imagine if I gave you what you TRULY deserve!"

In Chapter 42 Job humbles himself before the Lord:

1 Then Job replied to the LORD :
2 "I know that you can do all things;
no plan of yours can be thwarted.

3 You asked, 'Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?'
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.

4 "You said, 'Listen now, and I will speak;
I will question you,
and you shall answer me.'

5 My ears had heard of you
but now my eyes have seen you"

The Chapter ends by telling us that God blessed the latter part of Job's life twice as much as he blessed the first.

So, I'm finally starting to understand that I can't comprehend God's plan... I can't predict His timing. I believe He'll heal me. I believe that He's teaching me joy, patience, contentment, perseverance and humility. I do know, however, that He has been merciful to me. God has given me a life of hope and purpose which I don't deserve. The creator of the Universe loves me and I really don't have a clue why.

I have to dive into the Bible more... it's full of awesome truths.