We are told in the first book of Poetry in the Old Testament that Job was the greatest man among all the people of the East. The Lord said to Satan, "There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." (Job 1)
But yet this righteous man's story tells of one calamity after another. He loses his children, his wealth, his health, his wife's confidence and finally his friends.
Do you know a good person today that is suffering? Sure you do. There are lot of living saints and others in your very own community that are up against the wall in their trials. Maybe it is even you that is suffering.
Why do bad things happen to good people? That is one of the oldest questions there is. When the trials came upon Job he wondered what the meaning was for his suffering. Just like we wonder about why we have to suffer.
It is tough and we will not always understand why God is allowing things to happen to us. But don't forget this..."in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to this purpose. (Romans 8:28)
It is written, "As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy." (James 5:11)
"...The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:21-22) We are told that the Lord made him prosperous again and that he gave him twice as much as he had before.
God blessed the latter part of Job's life more the the first. Job died, old and full of years knowing that his Redeemer lives and that in the end he will stand upon the earth.
Our loving father is not just compassionate. He shows us every day that he is abundantly compassionate!
Rick Hawbaker
'My Redeemer Lives'
'My Redeemer Lives'
