Job 5:6-7 "Although affliction cometh not forth of the dust neither doth trouble spring out of the ground; yet man is born unto trouble, as the sparks fly upward."
For certain people, this life can be exceedingly difficult. Some face one problem after another. Perhaps an illness strikes and gets resolved, only to be followed by a tragedy in which the person loses his or her earthly possessions. Then, a close relationship, maybe a marriage, dissolves. The list of life's troubles is varied and boundless. Job knew these misfortunes firsthand. The opening two chapters of this book are stunning in their seeming cruelty and injustice - if looked upon from a purely human, temporal perspective. Here is a man, living in obedience to the LORD to the best of his ability, seeking to do all he can to follow the LORD. Job was reputed for his godly reverence and for abstaining from evil (Job 1:1 pictured above), and he even presented offerings to GOD on behalf of his family members just in case they should sin against HIM (Job 1:5). Despite his faithfulness to the LORD, Job had his possessions and livelihood taken from him (Job 1:13-17); additionally, that very same day, his grown children tragically all died (Job 1:19). His troubles continued into the next chapter when his own health deteriorated.
GOD never explained to Job why any of this fell upon him, why he had to endure such heartache and pain in this life. Even in the final chapters, after Job and his friends had complained and traded accusations and conjectures, the LORD did not reveal HIS divine purposes to Job (Chapters 38-41). Pointing to many examples within HIS creation, GOD demonstrated that, ultimately, it is HE who is in control of our circumstances, regardless of how tragic or "unfair" they might seem. Job learned this important lesson (Job 42:1-5 partially pictured above), and may we, likewise, acknowledge GOD's sovereign authority over all. GDF
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
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