You may or may not be familiar with the book of Job in the Old Testament. It’s a story of a man of resolute faith in the face of terrible trials. Job is an example to us as in one day all of his children were killed and he went from being one of the richest men in the nation to living in abject poverty. Job 1 and 2 relate a conversation between God and Satan and in chapter 1, verse 8 we read: “Then the LORD said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”
Job is an example of faith that I admire and seek to be like; even while I often fail miserablely. I am reminded of a story from the old West. It seems a young cowboy was riding out through the dessert and came across an old prospector riding on a mule. The young cowboy thought he would have some fun, so he draws his sixgun and orders the old man off the mule and asked him if he had ever danced. He then proceeds to shoot six shots at the old mans feet causing him to jump around and stands there laughing with an empty gun in his hand. The old man slowly reaches over the back of his mule and pulls out a shotgun and points it at the young man and says, “Have you ever kissed a mule?” Without batting an eye, the young man said, “No, but I have always wanted to!”
Now I’ve never kissed a mule, (yet), but then I’ve never had the faith that Job exhibited, but I’ve always wanted to.
How strong is your faith? What kind of discouragements are you facing? In Job 2:9-10, Job’s wife, his helpmate, says to him, “Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!” He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.” Think about your life, what have you lost, who is whispering to you that you should quit, give up, and forget God?
You see, just as in the book of Job, Satan is “going to and fro on the face of the earth” seeking those whom he can destroy. The apostle James however gives us another way to look at the difficulties coming upon us. James writes in James 1:2-4, “Dear brothers and sisters, whenever trouble comes your way, let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character and ready for anything.”
What made the difference between Job and his wife? She was ready to quit, while the thought never occurred to Job? I believe it was that Job truly understood that God is in control of our world and that our life is only temporary here on earth. He knew that it is after our death that we really start to live.
How about you, are you living only for today or making plans for your eternal future?
Russ Lawson