Beauty, the brain and brokenness

Today: Job 8-10

Isn't it amazing how real the Bible is sometimes?

We've already read about the tough things Job faced in his life. And in this passage, there are sections that seem downright depressing. Job says things like, "I wish I had never been born!" and "I can't stand my life--I hate it!" He definitely dealt with deep human emotions like grief and a sense of abandonment. However, there's some beauty in the midst of Job's brokenness. I love what he said here about God:

You gave me life itself, and incredible love.

You watched and guarded every breath I took.

But you never told me about this part.

I should have known that there was more to it...

Confession: I've felt exactly that way at moments even though I haven't come close to experiencing Job's tragedies. As humans, we can't fully comprehend the whys of the universe (but we try!). Our minds don't understand how a good God could allow tragic things to happen to good people.

The fact that we just don't get the mysteries of the universe may be a good thing. I, for one, can't fully get the concept that beauty can come from brokenness--much less the idea that the brokenness itself can be beautiful. I can't fully explain things like love, grace or miracles. The fact that I don't know everything is good--because it brings a sense of awe, surprise and wonder to my life. Job recognized that, too, when he said this about God:

We'll never comprehend all the great things he does;

his miracle-surprises can't be counted.

Somehow, though he moves right in front of me,

I don't see him;

quietly but surely

he's active,

and I miss it.

Tomorrow: Job 11-13

God sees

Today: Judges 8-9

I think I've probably talked about it on this blog before, but my parents used to tell us, "The truth always comes out." I used to think that it was a tactic to "scare" us into telling the truth. Maybe. But as I've gotten older, I think the statement is actually freeing...because when I believe, "The truth will always come out," I don't feel like the injustice or evil things I see in society go unnoticed. I know that God sees it, too--and that someday, the good will be rewarded and the evil will face justice.

In today's passage, we read about a pretty evil guy named Abimelech who massacred his own family in a quest for power. But at the end of the passage, God (once again) used a woman to fatally injure an evil militant--and God "avenged the evil Abimelech had done to his father."

We don't always see God's justice. But it's refreshing to me to know that He always sees us. God sees all the good and bad things that happen on this planet--and ultimately, brings evil to justice. However, we all sin at times--and because of the love, grace and sacrifice of Jesus, we can be forgiven for our sin--and experience a different kind of justice, the justice of being justified by Christ. This means that when we believe in Him and ask for forgiveness, He sees us just as if we never sinned. Wow. It's incredible to think that a just God would do that for us. But He does.

Tomorrow: Judges 10-12