1 Then Job replied to the LORD:
2 “I know that you can do all things;
no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
3 You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?’
Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me to know.
Job 42:1-3
At times in my life, I see such injustice, hurt, and pain that I want to ask God, “Why?” Bad things happen to good people, and good things happen to bad people. When I measure this with my scales of earthly justice, I can’t make sense of it. Why do people I love have to suffer? Job had these same questions so long ago. God explained to him that there are things that Job just can’t understand. For instance, how would God have explained to Job that thousands of years later, millions of people would know his story and draw comfort from his suffering? Throughout history, tough times have led to stronger people and to later blessings. It’s really hard for me to remember sometimes, but I know that God always measures as faithful. He has plans to prosper his children and not to harm us. Hopefully, with His help, He will measure me as faithful even when the hard times come. After all, what kind of Christian would I be if I only praised him when the times were easy and happy.
My prayer during the difficult times is that I can continue to praise God as Supreme Ruler of the Universe regardless of how life shakes me. I really like this song by Matt Redman, “Blessed Be Your Name.” I’ll leave that as my prayer today.
Blessed Be Your Name In the land that is plentiful Where Your streams of abundance flow Blessed be Your name Blessed Be Your name When I'm found in the desert place Though I walk through the wilderness Blessed Be Your name Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be Your name When the sun's shining down on me When the world's 'all as it should be' Blessed be Your name Blessed be Your name On the road marked with suffering Though there's pain in the offering Blessed be Your name Every blessing You pour out I'll turn back to praise When the darkness closes in, Lord Still I will say Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your name Blessed be the name of the Lord Blessed be Your glorious name You give and take away You give and take away My heart will choose to say Lord, blessed be Your name
How do you measure up? Please keep journeying with me as we examine our lives together against the standard of God.