Where in the world are we?

With this blog I hope to communicate where we are and the opportunities we have had in traveling across America and around the world.

Wednesday, March 9, 2011

What is going on?

In my continued studies for credentialing, today's post is on the Book of Job. I am under no circumstances writing this as a scholar of the Old Testament or of Hebrew. My blog today is about observations on the circumstances of life and how to deal with them.

"Have you considered my servant, Job?  He is blameless and upright, a man who fears God."[1]

Job's life and character were discussed in the heavenlies without having a 'say-so' on the outcome. Not only did he have it all, it was all taken (except for a 'nagging' wife) in a matter of one day; and the next day his health was taken. Job could have easily asked, 'what is going on?'

How could Job continue to fear God and keep on trusting him? Maybe the bigger question is how can a loving God seem to ignore human suffering? If he is all powerful, and knows all things why doesn't he do something about all the suffering? And how do we stay strong in our faith when we have troubles and injustices in our lives?

I'll let Job (chapter 1, verse 21) answer that (after he was on his face in worship). Job said, "Naked I came...and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and...has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised."[1] This scripture has so much meaning and depth. We come with nothing, we'll leave with nothing; but in between when 'stuff' happens we can trust God and praise him in the circumstances and indignities.

There is an explanation for this from the notes in my Bible [2]; to help us better understand this verse. Understand that Job is not perfect, but his trust and reliance on the Lord is his high standard to follow. Job had doubts, anger, and a sense of isolation from God (in later chapters), but he also had experienced God's faithfulness in the past and knew that God would be faithful again. As Job, we must look to how God has blessed us in the past: our salvation, healing, insight into solutions for problems, strength in the midst of persecutions, and to helping overcome our doubts. God can handle our doubts, misgivings, our unbelief...he is always ready to hear our cry. But will he always be ready to give us a reason? What about the question of all the suffering in the world?

Please indulge me for a few minutes as I relay some good information that I have learned while taking the course on the study of the Old Testament. [3]

1] God's complete plan is not and will not be fully realized on this earth, but only in the age to come. It's a partial realization called "already, not yet". Very simply put it's like when we travel and I ask my husband are we there yet, he says, "we are already here, but not yet there" (kind of a midway point on the map). God's will has been partially fulfilled now but won't be completely fulfilled until the future. The unanswered questions may remain unanswered until we see him.

2] Remember the conversation God had with the devil? Though they spoke to each other, the devil was by no means equal to God in any way. He has no power, only God does.

3] In reading the Book of Job we can conclude that God tests and tries people. Walking through the trials and circumstances of life teaches us lessons on being faithful and having a pure and true belief that God is sovereign and in control.

4] Because of the nature of man we live in a sinful, fallen world. Horrible things happen; injustices, inequalities, unfairness...bad things. Some of the trials of our lives are because of this fallen, imperfect world. Yet God is compassionate and walks with us through this sinful, fallen world.

As we firmly hold on to the promise that God will never leave us or forsake us; that he loves us unconditionally, and that we can turn to him no matter what. Like Job, we can handle the question, 'what's going on?'

Notes:
[1] NIV Life in the Spirit Study Bible. 1992, 2003. Zondervan. Grand Rapids, MI.
[2] NIV Life in the Spirit Study Bible. 1992, 2003. Zondervan. Grand Rapids, MI. Job 1:21, notes Pg. 717.
[3] Old Testament Survey. 2006, 2010. Global University, Springfield, MO. Job: Perseverance in Suffering. Pg 124.