The Thing I Feared Most!



Job 3:24-26 (The Message)


24-26.  "Instead of bread I get groans for my supper,
then leave the table and vomit my anguish.
The worst of my fears has come true,
what I've dreaded most has happened.
My repose is shattered, my peace destroyed.
No rest for me, ever—death has invaded life."

I have ofter wondered about this scripture. Before all the calamity in Job's life, did he fear that his children would offend God and bring judgement or was it when things began to happen that he continued to fear what would happen next? Well, I did research on this and the opinions are generally split as was mentioned above. I did think it was reasonable to suppose that because Job had great faith in God, he would not have feared this all his life. His life at this point contained a wife, children, wealth in land and possessions and probably had never experienced anything close to these events. So then why would he live in fear? On the other hand, I can certainly see how if everything is suddenly taken away from you, one at a time, that you could be in despair and wonder "what will happen next", like the old saying "just waiting for the other shoe to drop". What ever it was, poor Job was a miserable man. Yes he does question and he is wavering but in the end after God shows up, he is back on track. I find the story of Job fascinating and realizing we will never know everything until we get to heaven. That is the walking by faith thing, remember. So what ever conclusion you come close to, just remember Job was a human just like us, he had great faith in God, just like we can. We can choose to trust God no matter what happens in our life. Is it hard? oh yeah, it is hard! It hurts our hearts to lose those we love, or even the things we have worked so hard for. But we can always find something to be thankful for and have faith that God who "restores what the canker worm has eaten" means that He is working out His will in our lives. Don't forget the last of the story, that is exactly what happened to Job. The Lord blessed him more in the last part than in the first!  He lived to see his children and their children to the fourth generation. And the Bible said he died, old and full of years! A truly remarkable story, as there are so many in the Word of God! Did I get your wheels turning? Let me know what you think about Job.
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8 comments:

Sherry Southard said...

There are times I have felt like Job, being tested and stretched in many ways but Job is a good example of endurance and trust in God knowing all things work out to the good for those who love the Lord. Job was doubly blessed in the end and looking back over my trials, I feel doubly blessed in God's care for me. Good post Shirley, thanks

Jocelyn said...

Shirley this is such a wonderful post. I think we all tend to dig in despair at times. Especially when life seems to hand you detours. It's hard going around the detours. I'm so glad God gave us the story of Job. He was a man of faith, but like you said, he was miserable. God truly blessed him, and deep inside I think that Job knew God better then we do sometimes. Won't it be amazing to talk with him one day??

Jocelyn
http://justalittlesouthernhospitality.blogspot.com

Sr Crystal Mary Lindsey said...

I don't know if I could be as faithful as Job..what I always get out of this story is that the devil had to come before God to tempt him. Likewise the same happened with Peter. So when things get tough, the devil is after you because you belong to God, so rejoice. Hugs CML

Nikki (Sarah) said...

to have everything you love...everything that defines who you are taken from you...has to be the worst thing ever. Job was miserable....but He still held onto God. That to me is the most incredible.

MTJ said...

Hi Shirley,

Thank you for sharing these words of encouragement. "We can choose to trust God no matter what happens in our life." -- You're so right! It is my choice. Lord, I choose to trust You no matter what happens in my life.

I do not expect life to be a paved road called Easy Street. Life can often be hard, but I am gaining an appreciation for God's faithfulness and grace extended to me.

Blessings and peace.

MTJ

Charlotte said...

Thank you for these thoughts on Job, Shirley. Job has always been such an inspiration to me. There are so many lessons to be learned there.
Blessings,
Charlotte

INSIDE THE SHRINK said...

Job did not know he was a part of a lesson to show Satan he could not make a man curse God. All Job knew was that his life was torment and hopelessness. He remained faithful to God in spite of it all. What great faith! Great post. God bless, Dr. Bobbi

Donnie said...

What a great post. I'll have to read more on Job before I can make too much of a comment.