God never leaves our side

Going to the Doctor gives me time to think. The anticipation of going, the drive to the office, the tests, the X-rays, the blood work, and the gowns give me ample opportunity to slow down and think about my health, or lack thereof.  It is always easier when my health is good. I anticipate the good report and the welcome goodbye of  “I don’t need to see you until next year.”
But, there have been times when I have gotten un-welcome news. The unwanted words of a difficult diagnosis “We need to look into this more closely”. My time of thinking about sports teams and TV shows, and what I will eat next become minor issues.  I think about the stark reality of how I am put together. We really are fragile; a few degrees in body temperature mean the difference between health and illness. A few changes in the measurement of blood sugars or points on the PSA scale results; mean more than we can imagine. We get used to hearing the words Scan – CT, MRI, Pet Scan, total body scan, etc.. We don’t ever want to get sick. Yet we live in this fragile shell. This shell is all we know. It must work, even if it has limitations it must work. It must operate well so I can do the things I want to do. It really does become about me, especially when I don’t feel well.

So because it is the way I am wired I wonder where God is in the middle of these issues. The drama that has sought me out, cause me to wonder how God will use the experience in my life.

Job had it all going; family, farm, wealth, good reputation and it all went away in a short time. Talk about Drama!!!
Everything went away; except for those who tried to tell him what he did wrong. Job’s friends were living by a faulty premise, (the one that we sometimes would like to buy into). God helps those who trust Him to the extent that they are separate from the fallen world. Reciprocity– do good, and God rewards. But, we live in a fallen world, and sickness, death and destruction are a part of that world and it seems the drama of it will find us out.  The anticipation of the stuff is almost worse than the drama itself.

Job started out well in trusting God. He did not blame God; but professed his innocence. We know how that works in our own lives – I have done nothing wrong is a great way to live, never the real truth but a great way to live. His accuser wore him down with their questions and accusations to the point Job began asking for an audience with God to see his sin. From my perspective not a great idea, but I have the book of Job to read and learn from. Job 34: 29 is a question regarding God’s silence ^“But if he remains silent, who can condemn him? If he hides his face, who can see him? Yet he is over man and nation alike” The questions seem clear to us when we are in pain; why me, why now, why don’t you help me? Why don’t you show me the end result so I can get through this? Why do you hide? Why aren’t you there?

God answers Job with His character and attributes for three chapters 38-41 and Job in the middle of the discourse says: Job 40:4-5  “I am unworthy—how can I reply to you?  I put my hand over my mouth.  I spoke once, but I have no answer—   twice, but I will say no more.” He minimizes his guilt, but answers correctly – God never left his side. Whether Job enjoyed the trial was not the point. In the end God was glorified and Job is restored. I don’t want to go through what Job did to know God’s everlasting love for me and redemption from the pit. I’d rather learn from God’s word. I’d rather listen first, before I complain. But, it is not my nature to be silent.

Job 42:2-6 “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’  Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.  “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”

In the end Job understood waiting on God is best. Job learned in the classroom of life.

Job learned the pain of trust; when plans fail, purposes get twisted and people talk. Faith is the most difficult and comforting of passions.   Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.

The will of God and the face of God may seem hidden in difficulty; but it is always for our good. Even the time we spend in anticipation of hard things can become an opportunity to worship.