Worshipful in UNworshipful times
"Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped."
-Job 1:20
If there were ever a book in the Bible where a vast majority of human beings could identify with, it would be Job. Job wrestles with a lot of life's toughest questions. Here you have a man, known in the east as "blameless and upright", meaning he had a Godly reputation and was well respected in his community. He was wealthy and a lucrative businessman. He had a large family that he celebrated and prayed for regularly; his "quiver was full." Job had it all - until Satan attacked.
This is a fascinating account because it not only gives us insight into human suffering and God's relationship to it, but it also shows us the unique interaction between Satan and God. Satan certainly lurks about the earth as the "prince of the air" like a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour", but he is only able to do what God allows him to do. God's sovereignty is on full display in Job. This should be a tremendous comfort to us, even in the midst of great suffering.
Job was hit where it hurt the most first - Satan requested to strike everything Job had - his possessions, wealth, and family. In one tragedy after another, Job lost all his children and possessions in horrific events. This gives a vivid picture of the saying, "When it rains, it pours." After everything happened and the dust settled, Job was left with nothing but his bitter wife, no doubt mourning the loss of all her children, their way of life, and even the immense suffering her husband, Job, would be enduring as Satan had struck his health. All of this was done on God's watch and with God's permission, but God knew Job would pull through in faith.
The curious moment here for me is in the above verse I shared to begin this post: After losing everything, Job fell to the ground and worshiped.
To worship here is the Hebrew word "shachah" (shah-ha) which is to "bow down before one who is superior to pay homage." Even in the midst of great suffering and loss, Job through himself to the ground, likely in agony and depression, but nonetheless worshiping God and recognizing He was the great Provider, Sustainer, and Creator of all things. Job understood that God is the One who is in ultimate control of all things, regardless if Satan were attacking him or not, and it was God alone who has the ultimate authority and power.
I was left thinking, 'do I react to trials with worship?' Most of the time, I would have to say my initial reaction is not one of worship but more of questioning and anger. How far I have to go to get to where Job was!
Reader, I hope this helps you (and me) to rethink how we handle and view our trials. They may be the very attacks of Satan who has requested such attacks upon us to wreck our faith, but rest assured that your Father is in control of all that Satan does. Knowing this truth, let's seek to be worshipful in those UNworshipful times!
-Job 1:20
If there were ever a book in the Bible where a vast majority of human beings could identify with, it would be Job. Job wrestles with a lot of life's toughest questions. Here you have a man, known in the east as "blameless and upright", meaning he had a Godly reputation and was well respected in his community. He was wealthy and a lucrative businessman. He had a large family that he celebrated and prayed for regularly; his "quiver was full." Job had it all - until Satan attacked.
This is a fascinating account because it not only gives us insight into human suffering and God's relationship to it, but it also shows us the unique interaction between Satan and God. Satan certainly lurks about the earth as the "prince of the air" like a "roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour", but he is only able to do what God allows him to do. God's sovereignty is on full display in Job. This should be a tremendous comfort to us, even in the midst of great suffering.
Job was hit where it hurt the most first - Satan requested to strike everything Job had - his possessions, wealth, and family. In one tragedy after another, Job lost all his children and possessions in horrific events. This gives a vivid picture of the saying, "When it rains, it pours." After everything happened and the dust settled, Job was left with nothing but his bitter wife, no doubt mourning the loss of all her children, their way of life, and even the immense suffering her husband, Job, would be enduring as Satan had struck his health. All of this was done on God's watch and with God's permission, but God knew Job would pull through in faith.
The curious moment here for me is in the above verse I shared to begin this post: After losing everything, Job fell to the ground and worshiped.
To worship here is the Hebrew word "shachah" (shah-ha) which is to "bow down before one who is superior to pay homage." Even in the midst of great suffering and loss, Job through himself to the ground, likely in agony and depression, but nonetheless worshiping God and recognizing He was the great Provider, Sustainer, and Creator of all things. Job understood that God is the One who is in ultimate control of all things, regardless if Satan were attacking him or not, and it was God alone who has the ultimate authority and power.
I was left thinking, 'do I react to trials with worship?' Most of the time, I would have to say my initial reaction is not one of worship but more of questioning and anger. How far I have to go to get to where Job was!
Reader, I hope this helps you (and me) to rethink how we handle and view our trials. They may be the very attacks of Satan who has requested such attacks upon us to wreck our faith, but rest assured that your Father is in control of all that Satan does. Knowing this truth, let's seek to be worshipful in those UNworshipful times!
Comments
Post a Comment