“Now there was a day when… there came a messenger to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’ While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.’
“Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 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.‘
“In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.” Job 1:13-22
It’s hard to imagine a better man having a worse day. The sun rose that morning as it always had, and the upstanding, righteous farmer Job got started with his tasks at hand. His heart was close to God’s, and concerned for his adult children’s. He feared and worshiped the Lord, owning an intimate prayer life and dependence on Him for strength against the foe. Then the horrific news started coming in. (Job 1:1-5)
The phone call. Discovery. Diagnosis. News. Whether devastation, debilitation, or demand to change or move, there will be moments, events, days when life turns upside down and our spiritual integrity is tested. How ready are we for whatever the Lord might bring? How firm is our faith in His sovereignty and goodness? How fixed are our feet, how fit our armor to withstand enemy onslaught against what God has ordained? (Ephesians 6:10-18)
When we maintain fidelity in worship and secure our trust in the Lord, we can receive what He gives with wholehearted acceptance and abiding peace. Our thanksgiving, our questioning, our agony, even our lament will well up out of deep communion with our Creator and the Giver of every perfect gift, and honor Him. He is not simply a dispenser of happiness, but a developer of holiness, and indeed works good in all things for His beloved children. We may not understand, but we can be assured. (Romans 5:1-5; 8:28; James 1:17)
“When through the deep waters I call thee to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow;
for I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless,
and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress.” ~George Keith (1787)
Lord, sow in me the habit and firmly fix my resolve to worship You in whatever a day may hold, because You are worthy of all blessing, honor, and praise. (Habakkuk 3:17-19)
As the rain and snow 