Written: Jan 4, 2016
I have had this verse on my mind for several days now, and when my chronological reading of the Bible led me to Job again today, I thought I would share my thoughts. After being heavily tested, Job’s wife asked him why he held so fast to his integrity and didn’t just curse God and die. Job’s response has been a challenge to me, and I trust to you: “Shall we accept only the good from God and not the bad?” (Job 2:10).
While I have applied this to my own life in the loss of my husband, I believe it can apply to us as followers of Christ in so many areas. Job trusted God during what seemed like overwhelming troubles and grief. How quick we are today to allow the simplest trials to lead us to despair. Are we not living for eternity as Christians? Do we not have hope because of the work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection? This world’s troubles are not to be simplified, but I am saying they are not the end. He is our refuge and strength in times of need. He is our Rock and Salvation. He is our comfort. He is the Victor over all. He goes before us to prepare a place for us. He is with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death. Do I truly believe these things, or are they just words we hear at church or sing in our hymns?
Death, trials, suffering, persecution, temptations, and all such hurts of this world are real, but only temporary for the Christian. I thank God for that, and I thank him that throughout the hard times (for they are hard), that He is with me and it is in Him I can find comfort and that peace that truly does pass all understanding.
So, reading Job at the beginning of the first year of my loss is hard, but also a source of comfort. It not only reminds me that so many in this world are going through so much more than I can ever imagine, but also that in the end — God’s will is done, and in that I can rest.
Grace and Peace