Job is a book filled with misunderstanding and bad theology. Yet in the middle of all that these men do not understand are bits of wisdom that if separated out ring true for today’s Christians. Job chapter four is the first of the speeches Job’s friends will make. I call them friends because they have made a long journey to be with him and they have sat with him for the proper period of mourning.
From this point their assessment of Job’s situation is skewed. But today we want to focus on just the first five verses of Job 4. Eliphaz just touches on something that happens with all too much frequency today. That is — how do we react when trouble visits us?
We are able to speak words of courage to others when it affects their lives but how do we react when it visits us personally? I had to struggle with these thoughts yesterday. Over the last eighteen months my wife and I have both lost our mothers. Then yesterday a single phone call shook my world again. My sister called to tell me my younger brother was in the hospital on a ventilator and the doctor said it could go either way.
My brother is still with us this morning, and he is still on the edge. But my problem yesterday was in asking God how much was enough. As I sat thinking about all my family has endured over the last few months, I suddenly realized it was time for me to let it go and trust in God. Stop worrying about the impact this would have on me and focus on how to use it to reach those who have little hope of eternity.
Will I trust in God only when it is good news or will I cling to Him in all things, trusting that He is bringing me to a better place? He is in control; not me. I’m praying for my brother and his family but I’m confident that whatever the outcome, God knows exactly what He is doing.
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Thanks Scott; these are things we all need to be reminded of. We ask “how much is enough?” and God says “My grace is sufficient”, and sometimes that’s hard to hear. “Trust in God” is, as you wrote, our response. It’s not a natural response, but nevertheless the correct one. Sorry to hear about your brother. We’ll add him to our prayer list and mention him tonight at mid-week service.