The chronological reading plan I am following broke the traditional reading real quick. After three days reading through the first eleven chapters of Genesis, I embarked upon the book of Job. I was surprised until I remembered that Job is probably the oldest story and the first full book of the Bible which was written. It's been pleasant to read the book knowing Job lived before Abraham. We get a picture of God's relationship with man prior to the forming of His covenant with Abraham. He shows Himself to be the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow.
The book of Job has been a frequent topic of study for me throughout the years. I have delved into it during my devotions as a kid, in a youth Bible study, again in personal devotions, in a college Bible study, and many other times in sermons and other lessons. Therefore I can fall into the trap of believing I have exhausted what it has to offer me. Thankfully, God's Word continues to proves that I will never reach its depths, but continue to mine its surface as long as I live.
After Job has messenger after messenger deliver terrible news which culminates in the loss of all his children, Job responds in the following way;
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ~Job 1:20 ESV
The first four (rising, tearing, shaving, falling) are exactly how I would react. I might not shave, but I would more than likely take on some physical sign to show my level of anguish. I love these because they show the full scope of pain we will experience in this life. Job is identified as a righteous man who feared God. However, righteous men are not exempt from grief and sorrow. Job didn't mask or ignore the immense torture within his soul. He fully embraced it as any human being would. Godly men (and women) are allowed to grieve over the hurt they face day in and day out. Christ did the same throughout His ministry, and, finally, as the cross stood before Him. Grief is not unbecoming of a child of God.
But where Job succeeds, we (or least I) often fail. Job beautifully worshiped out of his soul's anguish. His grieving did not turn him bitter and angry toward God. It moved him to praise. Obviously, this is a testament to God's grace at work in his broken heart. And while the Bible doesn't say exactly how he worshiped (song, prayer, silence, fasting, etc.) it does give us a glimpse.
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” ~Job 1:21
I absolutely love this. It shows even in the midst of our deepest despair, we can worship. In fact, the means by which we grieve can be an act of worship. The two do not have to be kept separate. Our tears and sorrow can draw us to our heavenly Father in a posture of worship. We don't not have to try and put it altogether before we can approach Him. This completely changes the manner in which we grieve. It doesn't diminish the pain we are experiencing, but embraces the hope that still exists. It's not easy, but as Job found out, with God's grace we can still be faithful to God.
The book of Job has been a frequent topic of study for me throughout the years. I have delved into it during my devotions as a kid, in a youth Bible study, again in personal devotions, in a college Bible study, and many other times in sermons and other lessons. Therefore I can fall into the trap of believing I have exhausted what it has to offer me. Thankfully, God's Word continues to proves that I will never reach its depths, but continue to mine its surface as long as I live.
After Job has messenger after messenger deliver terrible news which culminates in the loss of all his children, Job responds in the following way;
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. ~Job 1:20 ESV
The first four (rising, tearing, shaving, falling) are exactly how I would react. I might not shave, but I would more than likely take on some physical sign to show my level of anguish. I love these because they show the full scope of pain we will experience in this life. Job is identified as a righteous man who feared God. However, righteous men are not exempt from grief and sorrow. Job didn't mask or ignore the immense torture within his soul. He fully embraced it as any human being would. Godly men (and women) are allowed to grieve over the hurt they face day in and day out. Christ did the same throughout His ministry, and, finally, as the cross stood before Him. Grief is not unbecoming of a child of God.
But where Job succeeds, we (or least I) often fail. Job beautifully worshiped out of his soul's anguish. His grieving did not turn him bitter and angry toward God. It moved him to praise. Obviously, this is a testament to God's grace at work in his broken heart. And while the Bible doesn't say exactly how he worshiped (song, prayer, silence, fasting, etc.) it does give us a glimpse.
And he said, “Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” ~Job 1:21
I absolutely love this. It shows even in the midst of our deepest despair, we can worship. In fact, the means by which we grieve can be an act of worship. The two do not have to be kept separate. Our tears and sorrow can draw us to our heavenly Father in a posture of worship. We don't not have to try and put it altogether before we can approach Him. This completely changes the manner in which we grieve. It doesn't diminish the pain we are experiencing, but embraces the hope that still exists. It's not easy, but as Job found out, with God's grace we can still be faithful to God.
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