A true story:
One day when the angels came to report to God, Satan, who was the Designated Accuser, came along with them. God singled out Satan and said, “What have you been up to?”
Satan answered God, “Going here and there, checking things out on earth.”
God said to Satan, “Have you noticed my friend Job? There’s no one quite like him—honest and true to his word, totally devoted to God and hating evil.”
Satan retorted, “So do you think Job does all that out of the sheer goodness of his heart? Why, no one ever had it so good! You pamper him like a pet, make sure nothing bad ever happens to him or his family or his possessions, bless everything he does—he can’t lose!
“But what do you think would happen if you reached down and took away everything that is his? He’d curse you right to your face, that’s what.”
God replied, “We’ll see. Go ahead—do what you want with all that is his. Just don’t hurt him.” Then Satan left the presence of God.
Sometime later, while Job’s children were having one of their parties at the home of the oldest son, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys grazing in the field next to us when Sabeans attacked. They stole the animals and killed the field hands. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”
While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Bolts of lightning struck the sheep and the shepherds and fried them—burned them to a crisp. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”
While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Chaldeans coming from three directions raided the camels and massacred the camel drivers. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”
While he was still talking, another messenger arrived and said, “Your children were having a party at the home of the oldest brother when a tornado swept in off the desert and struck the house. It collapsed on the young people and they died. I’m the only one to get out alive and tell you what happened.”
Job got to his feet, ripped his robe, shaved his head, then fell to the ground and worshiped:
Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
naked I’ll return to the womb of the earth.
God gives, God takes.
God’s name be ever blessed.
Not once through all this did Job sin; not once did he blame God. Job 1:6-22 (MSG)
Wow! What would your response be if this happened to you? Many people blame God for evil, and pain in this world, but we can see here God doesn’t cause it, the devil does. 2020 has been a very painful year for a lot of people around the world. Have people, or you blamed God, or the men that created the virus for evil? Do those who on January 1st, 2020 who praised God and confessed their love for Him still do? Do you only love God when He is good to you?
It is so important, no, it is vital that we keep our perspective true when facing difficult times. To know God didn’t bring, or cause the pain although He did allow it knowing that if we keep our focus on him we will get through it. Job loved God simply because, He is God!
We don’t know when the events of 2020 are going to end. We don’t know who will still be above ground and the totality of it all, but don’t for one second take your eyes off of God. Know He is still God, and love him accordingly.
The end of Job’s story:
God blessed Job’s later life even more than his earlier life. Job 42:12 (MSG)
Copyright © 2020 Mark Brady. All rights reserved.
You go to a friend’s house and they serve a wonderful dinner. You go on and on over the entree and you even ask for the recipe so you can imitate it, or duplicate it at home. Then the day comes when you make the item, and you have great anticipation of it melting in your mouth the way it did when you first tried it, but it doesn’t. You go over the recipe line by line and you swear to yourself you followed it 100 percent. Disappointment sets in, perhaps even anger.
Is your heart a hotel for God? Let’s face it, some let God check in, but then tell him when check out time is. Worse, others may even post a “No Vacancy” sign.
If God healed me of one of my issues, there would be no reason to go to the doctor who is treating me for that issue. The truth is though that doctor is searching for God. Over the last two years I have developed a safe and trusted relationship with him as I listen to his thoughts, and opinions and he listens to mine. If God healed me, who would be there to share the gospel with him? Sure, God could send a new patient, but building that relationship takes time. Also, would the next patient be open to share God?
God’s is speaking a lot lately, through many means, but seems to be saying the same thing. When that happens, pay attention and listen to the message, because God doesn’t want you to miss it.
I used to drive fast. I mean, really fast, or perhaps I should say, “stupidly fast!” In the early eighties, in Massachusetts, I was driving my Chevette. Okay, you can stop laughing now. As I was going up a hill and into a sharp turn to my left I saw a car coming fast, straight for me in my lane. It was going to be a head on collision and I said to myself, Oh this is going to hurt! But right before the point of impact I shut my eyes hard, and screamed, “Oh God!”
Recently, a mother shared with me one of her two year old’s newest habit. She said, “Everywhere we go, he announces to anyone, ‘Look, this is my mother!’” I laughed as I pictured her adorable son smiling and making that bold declaration.
God, I worship you, and praise your name, because you are:
God is with me in the special moments, but I would rather have him in the regular ones. There are more of them!
brady, mark a. 