“There are two things which I have always looked upon as difficult. The one is, to make the wicked sad; the other is to make the godly joyful.” So begins Thomas Watson in his great Puritan classic, All Things for Good. If you have not read this book, I highly suggest that you do so in short order. It is perfect for those enduring sickness, affliction, temptation, despondence, or desertion. In other words, it would have been the ideal present if you if happened to pull Job’s name for the Christmas gift exchange.
Chaos is a common theme in the world today. Evolution demands that we believe in it and consumerism ensures we stay addicted to it. The book of Job tells of the chaos which came to characterize that poor saint’s life. He lost everything: his wealth, his security, his family, and even the love of those he loved most. According to the common bystander, Job had no reason to continue living. Mark another victim up to random chaos.
Yet, the Bible tells us otherwise. While the world looks upon Job as a pathetic victim of the fates, the LORD sees things differently. God says, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” (Job 1:8) That was God’s assessment of Job at the outset and it did not waver just because his circumstances changed.
As Job’s story progresses we have the privilege of observing his unshakable faith. If you read with care and put yourself into those painful shoes, you can’t help but wonder where he gets his courage from. Job knows: “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)
I observe something intriguing in the book of Job. Throughout the conversation, the argument between Job and his three friends centers upon the issue of Theodicy, as well as Job’s uprightness. But when Elihu enters the dialogue the theme starts to change. The talk turns away from man and his problems to the immensity of God. Eventually, Almighty God himself himself enters the conversation and confirms this line of thinking.
Too often we take a small view of life. We see the immensity of sin and the evil attending it and think it to be an all consuming problem. Not so. Sin is an ethical problem for man, not a metaphysical problem for God. The first chapter of Job shows that handily. Satan may be the prince of the air, but never forget; providence is the queen and governess of this world. Learn to resist him and adore her.
God is all powerful and all things work toward His all perfect plan. It is upon this basis we know that all will work for the good of them that love God. It is upon this basis that the godly can be joyful. It is upon that basis that we can break the addiction to despair and chaos that ensnares so many today. Your God is big, be bold in Him. “From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.” Psalm 61:2
One Comment
Excellent, Colin. I appreciate the perspective of Job and find that a worldview of “random chaos” is easy to get drawn into. Thanks for the reminder that God views things much differently.
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