“Now on the day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, and the Sabeans attacked and took them. They also slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was still speaking, another also came 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 still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands and made a raid on the camels and took them and slew the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and behold, a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people and they died, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head, and he fell to the ground and worshiped.
He said,
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb,
And naked I shall return there.
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away.
Blessed be the name of the Lord.”
Through all this Job did not sin nor did he blame God.” Job 1:13-22
I haven’t read Job in a while. I hadn’t remembered that all this calamity happened and was told to Job within minutes. I couldn’t believe it just kept coming, “While he was still speaking“. “While he was still speaking“. “While he was still speaking“.
Who of us have suffered like this? I can’t think of anyone I know. I certainly have not. But we do suffer. And as small as my suffering has been I have certainly not had the faith to say; “Blessed be the name of the Lord“.
Today I’m filled with a longing for the end of suffering that those close to me endure.
I’m surrounded by it. I would take their pain away if I could. I would say this is NOT as it should be. But that is not the way of the Cross and I am not God.
So I pray for them. And together we all say, “Come Lord Jesus”.
“But ever Thy help is the nearest when help from the earth there is none,
and ever the word that is dearest is the Word of the crucified Son;
And aye when the tempest-clouds gather, I fly for sweet shelter and peace
Through the Son to the heart of the Father, that terror and tremor may cease.
He restoreth my soul, and I praise Him whose love is my chrism and crown;
He restoreth my soul; let me raise Him a song that His mercy will own.
For often so weary of sorrow, so weary of fighting with sin,
I look and I long for the morrow, when the ransomed their freedom shall win.”
