9 Feb, 2009
You've heard it. You've seen it. We can't get away from it. It's in every newspaper headline. It's what they're calling an "economic crisis." Every day another company is down-sizing or "going under," another group of people is laid off, and countless homes go into foreclosure. There are the stories of angry individuals, looking for someone to blame, mothers terrified of what will become of them and their families, and fathers ashamed of their inability to provide. Sometimes it seems as if everything is crashing down at once.
It's in times like these that it seems more and more people, who may have never even thought about God before, are questioning Him and His character: Where is God in all of this? If He really is so good and so loving, how can He let this happen to our family? If this is the way God takes care of us, I don't want anything to do with Him! Even Job's wife, crushed from the loss of her children, her home, and all that she cherished, encouraged her heart-broken and completely distraught husband to, "curse God and die" (Job 2:9)!
So how should we to respond to all of the overwhelming storms in life that can so quickly overtake us?
Picture courtesy of Google Images, 2/8/09
Killer Waves
James 1:2-4 "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing"
Job 1:21 "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."
What does today's God's Story scripture teach us about trials and hardships?
If you know the story of Job, you know how quickly his life turned from nearly perfect, to complete shambles. In just one day Job's children were killed along with all of his servants and livestock. Within another couple of days, Job lost his health, his friends, and the love of his life. It was completely unreal and impossible for Job to comprehend. And, as much as Job felt alone and forgotten, God's eye was on Him the entire time. In fact, God was refining Job and He had a plan. Job didn't have the perfect response to the trials and hardships that God allowed him to face but he was faithful. And although he couldn't understand why he was suffering, Job gained a clearer understanding of just who God is. He came out the fire blessing the trials for all that God had done through them. His faith was refined, his holiness enlarged, his soul was saved, and God was glorified.
What can we connect today's God's Story to our lives?
- Read through the book of Job - as you do, think about how you might respond in his same situation. Would you remain faithful to God, or would you be influenced by family and friends to sin and turn away from Him?
- Release whatever trials you are going through to God. Pray and tell God, as Job did, that you choose to praise Him and bless your trials for the ways in which they will bring you closer to God.
- Memorize today's scripture verses and recite them over and over as you face trials in your life.
How can we connect today's story, God's Story scripture, and our story to others?
- Chances are, you know people who are really struggling with life right now. Be intentional to encourage them by praying for/with them. If they are feeling overwhelmed and/or angry about the situation they are in, share the story of Job. Share with them how God brought Job through his trials and how God refined him and their relationship because of them.
- Look for practical ways you can serve those in your community who are needing a little extra help right now - serve at a local soup kitchen, offer to do yard work or baby-sit for free . . . anything that will help to relieve a little stress in tough times.
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