Rumors versus reality

Today: Job 40-42

If you've ever watched a reality show, attended junior high or even (gasp!) a church, you know that rumors can be dangerous...and often, inaccurate. Rumors and reality are often vastly different. There's a big difference between knowing about someone and actually knowing them. And when it comes to God, the difference between knowing about Him and actually knowing Him? Life-changing.

Job was a stand-up guy. He loved God. But in these chapters, he actually got to know God and hear His voice in a real, fresh way. Here's how Job responded:

"I'm convinced:

You can do anything and everything.

Nothing and no one can upset your plans.

You asked, 'Who is this muddying the water,

ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?'

I admit it.

I was the one.

I babbled on about things far beyond me,

made small talk about wonders way over my head.

You told me, 'Listen, and let me do the talking.

Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.'

I admit I once lived by rumors of you;

now I have it all firsthand—

from my own eyes and ears!

I'm sorry—

forgive me.

I'll never do that again, I promise!

I'll never again live on crusts of hearsay,

crumbs of rumor."

When we really know God (instead of just knowing about Him), it changes us. For Job, this moment marked a new start. He lived in awe of God's power and all-knowing nature. He surrendered himself to it. And when he did, God brought healing and restoration. Job moved from a place of total desolation on to a place of blessing. God poured multiple blessings on his life.

Tomorrow: Psalm 1-8

Where were you...?

Today: Job 38-39

Has God ever seemed silent to you?

Job would have answered that question with a resounding, "YES!" But in today's passage, God made Himself really clear to Job. He's always pretty good showing up right on time...and providing some perspective. :)

Here's what God said to Job...and what He'd probably say to most of us at moments, too:

...Where were you when I created the earth?

Tell me, since you know so much!

Who decided on its size?

Certainly you'll know that!

Who came up with the blueprints and measurements?

How was its foundation poured,

and who set the cornerstone,

While the morning stars sang in chorus

and all the angels shouted praise?

And who took charge of the ocean

when it gushed forth like a baby from the womb?

That was me!

I wrapped it in soft clouds,

and tucked it in safely at night...

Tomorrow: Job 40-42

"Easy street" faith

Today: Job 35-37

"When you leave here today, you're going to have the same eye color. You'll be wearing the same clothes. You're not going to be perfect. You're not going to stop facing challenges. But you're making a fresh start...and God's going to be with you."

Every weekend my pastor says something like this at the end of each church service. He says it to people who have just decided to believe in God and ask Him to lead their lives. I'm really glad he does--because there are a lot of people who have what I'm calling today "easy street faith." In today's passage, Job's long-winded friend Elihu (yes, the same guy we heard from yesterday) seems to hold that philosophy. Here's what he said to Job about people who follow God:

If they obey and serve him,

they'll have a good, long life on easy street.

Hmm...interesting theory. Too bad it's wrong. I'd love to say that since I've believed in God and served Him, that I've had a perfect life. Don't get me wrong--my life is better because God's in it, but it's far from perfect.

If we look at Jesus Himself (perfect God in flesh), it's clear that loving God and following what He says doesn't lead to easy street. It lead Jesus to Calvary, a cross and a painful death (though not to cut the story short, it also lead Him to resurrection and eternity in Heaven!).

For all of us that are simply human, we make mistakes that have consequences. Even when we don't necessarily mess up, the people around us might--and that could have a major impact on us. On top of that, we're human beings--we eventually die (and so do people we love). We feel pain and sickness and heartache.

I know that last paragraph could sound like a major downer--it's not meant to! I'm trying to actually take pressure off anyone who feels that because they love God, their lives should be picture-perfect...and they're not.

I'm also trying to encourage anyone who's mad at God because of their not-so-easy street lives. God's not to blame for that. And here's the really cool thing--in the midst of whatever you and I face (good and bad), God's there. He wants to listen and help. Mostly, He will always love.

Tomorrow: Job 38-39

Inspired by the Spirit? Or self?

Today: Job 32-34

"God told me..."

Have you ever heard those words...used in a totally bizarre or inappropriate way?

Here's some examples I've heard (or that have been said to people in my circle): "God told me you that you were going to wear purple today", "God told me you were going to be my future wife" (said a 50-year old guy to a 20-something girl) or "God told me you are going to be a country singer" (said to a woman who loathed country music).

Sometimes people use the "God told me..." phrase in completely weird (and kind of creepy!) ways. And like a guy in today's passage, sometimes people use it as a way to justify their own (sometimes self-righteous) ideas. Let's review:

...it's God's Spirit in a person,

the breath of the Almighty One,

that makes wise human insight possible.

The experts have no corner on wisdom;

getting old doesn't guarantee good sense.

So I've decided to speak up.

Listen well!

I'm going to tell you exactly what I think...

During his lecture throughout today's chapters, Job's "friend" Elihu speaks some nuggets of truth. In these short verses, I think he's spot-on in giving God credit for making human insight possible. Where Elihu fell short? Inserting his own opinion (including a bunch of inaccurate, judgmental assessments of Job) into a bunch of spiritual-sounding lingo.

I think (and I know!) that sometimes, "God told me..." statements can be very accurate. But before any of us use those words, it's important to be careful--to ask ourselves, "What's my motive for saying 'God told me XYZ...' to this person?" and first and foremost, "Does what I'm saying 'God told me...' align with what God's already said in the Bible?"

Tomorrow: Job 35-37

Tonka trucks, Rainbow Brite and the "good old days"

Today: Job 29-31

Today on my way to work, I saw a man driving a Tonka truck. Actually, it was a truck with a Tonka sticker on it. I thought, "Aww...that's cool. He's livin' his childhood dream!" It made me reminisce about my childhood and the simple times of playing with Barbies, My Little Pony and Rainbow Brite (yeah, I'm an 80s kid).

I had a brief moment in the car when I thought, "Wouldn't it be amazing to be in the middle of those good times again--times when I didn't even know the meaning of stress?!?"

In today's passage, Job was dealing with far worse than me...but similarly, he longed for "the good old days." Let's take a look:

"Oh, how I long for the good old days,

when God took such very good care of me.

He always held a lamp before me

and I walked through the dark by its light.

Oh, how I miss those golden years

when God's friendship graced my home,

When the Mighty One was still by my side

and my children were all around me,

When everything was going my way,

and nothing seemed too difficult..."

I completely hear what Job's saying (I've thought it, too!). There's a great feeling of confidence, strength and love that comes when you feel like God's taking care of you and everything is coming up roses.

However, I think most of us miss the beauty of life's challenges in the very moments when we experience them. Isn't love brighter in the middle of your darkness? And isn't God's provision (even if it's just your breath itself!) more meaningful in the midst of difficulty? Doesn't His true, loyal friendship stand out when you're lonely?

Maybe "the good old days" are the times you're living now--even in the middle of what feels like a storm. Maybe you're growing and learning. Perhaps your challenge is an adventure that's pushing you toward your purpose.

I honestly don't know. But I do know that God sees, God knows and God loves you--and maybe that's more than enough.

Tomorrow: Job 32-34

Where does wisdom come from?

Today: Job 24-28

Rather than my thoughts on today's passage, I thought it would be good to focus on the amazing truths in this excerpt:

God alone knows the way to Wisdom,

he knows the exact place to find it.

He knows where everything is on earth,

he sees everything under heaven.

After he commanded the winds to blow

and measured out the waters,

Arranged for the rain

and set off explosions of thunder and lightning,

He focused on Wisdom,

made sure it was all set and tested and ready.

Then he addressed the human race:

'Here it is!

Fear-of-the-Lord—that's Wisdom,

and Insight means shunning evil.'"

Tomorrow: Job 29-31

Why do good things happen to bad people?

Today: Job 21-23

A few days ago, we tackled the question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?" In today's passage, Job raises the question on the flip side: Why do good things happen to bad people?

If you have ever been annoyed at the success of "bad" people, you may have asked yourself (or even God?) this question. It's hard for most of us to understand why messed-up people can appear to have such picture-perfect lives. It's contradictory to modern, New Age self-help logic (like much of the stuff from The Secret). And in some ways, the idea that good things happen to bad people seems contradictory to other portions of the Bible (e.g. "A man reaps what he sows..."). Right?

Not necessarily. Eventually, we face consequences for our actions--those consequences might happen here on Earth or they might happen in heaven. That's God's call.

Let's review what Job said:

"But who are we to tell God how to run his affairs?

He's dealing with matters that are way over our heads.

Some people die in the prime of life,

with everything going for them—

fat and sassy.

Others die bitter and bereft,

never getting a taste of happiness.

They're laid out side by side in the cemetery,

where the worms can't tell one from the other.

Basically, Job is saying that God's not a genie who follows our commands. Some things in life we just don't understand. I can't understand why good things happen to bad people (or vice versa)...but it's probably because I don't fully understand God's grace and God's justice. However, I am forever thankful that God far surpasses my limited expectations. Aren't you?

Tomorrow: Job 24-28

Had a bad day

Today: Job 17-20

I'll be really honest: I had a bad day.

(Cue the Daniel Powter song made famous by American Idol.) :)

Seriously, I had some big hopes dashed--and though I am trying to be strong, it is a major letdown. It is one of those days when I am very thankful for friends and family. My parents came over tonight and brought the perfect comfort food dinner (KFC grilled chicken, mashed potatoes and a biscuit...mmm!) and their cheery puppy, Lucy.

Later I was talking to my sister (ever the comedian) and said, "To top it off, I'm in the middle of reading Job this week, which is kind of depressing."

Her response?

"Well...at least you don't have boils."

True. :) Sometimes a little perspective helps, right?

In today's passage, Job is going through hell on earth. His family didn't bring him KFC (or any dinner, actually)--they abandoned him. His "friends" pointed fingers of blame and shame at him. But through it all, Job remained confident in God's rulership. Here's some key excerpts from the passage:

Still, I know that God lives—

the One who gives me back my life—

and eventually he'll take his stand on earth.

And I'll see him—even though I get skinned alive!—

see God myself, with my very own eyes.

Oh, how I long for that day!

Sometimes like Job, I wish I could hit a "fast forward" button in life and know that everything's going to work out. But in the meantime, I will just have to keep hoping...and say a "Thank you, God, I don't have boils!" prayer, too. :)

Tomorrow: Job 21-23

Hope in hard times

Today: Job 11-13

Hope is a necessity for life. But having hope in hard times? Not easy.

We've already talked about the hard things that Job faced--losing his possessions, his children and his health. To top it off, most of Job's friends abandoned him or pointed judgmental fingers at him--saying things equivalent to, "Well--you must have done something wrong for all this tragedy to come into your life!"

In the midst of this criticism, Job's faith remained strong. He continued to have hope that God would work things out for his good. Here's what he said about God:

Because even if he killed me, I'd keep on hoping.

I'd defend my innocence to the very end.

Just wait, this is going to work out for the best—my salvation!

Hope is confidence when life doesn't make sense. It's an unshakable trust. Hope is courage to have faith in the face of tragedy. It propels you to get back up and believe God's still there, still loving and still in control. Hold on to hope with all of your heart.

Tomorrow: Job 14-16

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

Why do bad things happen to good people?

Today: Job 1-4

A year ago, I heard about an incredible woman who was on medical leave. While on medical leave, she was laid off from her job. The day after she was laid off, she found out that she had cancer (on top of her other medical issue). This woman is kind, she loves God and she's a dedicated worker. She did nothing to deserve the hard things she faced.

Why do bad things happen to good people? Why do bad things happen to God's people?

Many people reason, "If God is good, He wouldn't allow horrible things to happen to good people" or "Maybe people who experience tragedy did something to warrant the bad things happening in their lives."

These are tough questions and tough criticisms. Job's amazing story can help us address some (note that I'm not saying all) of them. Job was an incredible God-honoring man who lived his life with integrity. However, God allowed Satan to test Job's faith. In one day, all of Job's children died and Job lost all of his livestock (his income). After that, Job was cursed with a health crisis--he had horribly itchy, painful sores and ulcers from head to toe (ewww...).

Let's take a look at an interesting conversation between Job and his wife:

His wife said,

"Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you?

Curse God and be done with it!"
He told her,

"You're talking like an empty-headed fool.

We take the good days from God—

why not also the bad days?"
Not once through all this did Job sin.

He said nothing against God.

Wow. Job's example shows that we can't always control what happens to us, but we can determine how we respond. Despite the pressure and his personal feelings, Job choose to trust in God's sovereignty. He didn't understand--he just trusted.

Tomorrow: Job 5-7