~ Day Seven ~

In this first week of our journey, we have courageously, though cautiously, stepped into the pages of an all-to0-familiar story of pain and misery. In some small way, we can all relate to Job's tragedy and turmoil. We've had our own share of sorrow and suffering in this life. We've experienced our own blessings and burdens. We have all, at one time or another, suffered losses and endured sickness, we've encountered crisis, faced trials, and been ensnared by temptations. We've even sighed or seethed under the unsolicited advice or counsel of well-meaning "friends" and family; and we've all made the mistake of saying something we shouldn't have when our silence and shoulder would have been a far greater comfort to our suffering friend. But where we part ways and find the greatest divergence in our story from Job's story, isn't in the colossal disaster that fell upon Job in the course of one day, or the undeserved attacks of Satan that buffeted his body and the cruel counsel of friends which crushed his spirit. No! It was that singular phrase that punctuated his response to his pain: "In all this Job did not sin" (Job 1:22; 2:10). When the bottom fell out of his life, Job looked up to heaven and made a bold profession of faith, and he blessed the name of the Lord who, regardless of our circumstances, is always worthy of all praise (Job 1:21b)!

Like Job, we often find ourselves sinking so deep into the ash heap of our sorrows and suffering, that we fail to see the unseen Hand of the One who is, at all times, working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). We often forget that it is the darkest just before the dawn. The Lord is reminding us in this sanctified feasting season, as we submit to Him with prayer and fasting, that our greatest moments are birthed in woe. There is something beautiful to be born, if we are willing to breathe through the pain and travail until what He has purposed comes forth. "For the earnest expectation of the creation awaits for the revealing of the sons of God...For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now..." (Romans 8:18ff). Jesus assured His disciples that they would see greater things to come in the future. "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man" (John 1:51). The Son of Man alone suffered to the point of death and endured the shame of the Cross for the sins of all men. In His first advent, our Lord Jesus came as the perfect representation of humanity to lay down His life as a substitute and open heaven to provide a clear channel of communication between God and man. Through our study of Job's tribulations this week, our eyes have been opened to see the hand of the Sovereign, Suffering Servant, and Son of God, who is our Sure Foundation, Good Shepherd, and Shield, revealing that He is always in control and will never leave us alone no matter the difficulties or challenges we may face. May we learn the lessons the Lord has for us in the season as we continue along in our journey, to see past the darkened skies of our present condition and behold the parting clouds of a future glorious day when the Son's light will shine upon us again. Let us spend our days in joyful worship and magnify His marvelous name. "Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so. Amen" (Revelation 1:7).

Read: Job Chapter Seven

The skies darkened, the storm clouds gathered, and the heavens unleashed a deluge that nearly drowned a man who has become the greatest example of personal suffering and heroic endurance of all time. "You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord" (James 5:11a). Though Job argued with the Lord, he never once abandoned his faith. His trials worked, not only to prepare him for a greater blessing, but also, to provide every future believer the encouragement we would need to persevere under trial with the knowledge that there is a blessing that awaits us after we have endured. "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved,he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him" (James 1:12). Under the cloud of suffering, Job struggled to understand why the once open heavens had become for him an enclosed ceiling he could not seem to break through. "And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is under you shall be iron" (Deuteronomy 28:23). After all, this response from God was reserved as punishment for the disobedient and wicked. "Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men? Why have You set me as Your target, so that I am a burden to myself?" (Job 7:20). The storm clouds had gathered and settled over poor Job's head, but all he could see in the midst of his anguish was the darkened skies of his present condition. "My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle, and are spent without hope" (Job 7:6). Like Job, there are areas of our life the Lord must touch that may be painful, but are necessary, in order to bring about His greater purposes for our lives and for the many others which He will touch through ours. Though we may question the Lord's ways, we can be assured of the precision and perfection of His work and trust Him for the beautiful masterpiece He is making of our lives; though for now we see only the unfinished underside of His work from our present earthly perspective. The enemy wants to get the fight out of us, and he is working overtime to wear us out fighting all the wrong battles, so we will eventually throw up the white flag of surrender. But we must not give up! We must continue to persevere! There is something so much more beautiful to come if we will trust in the Lord and wait upon Him! Keep praying beloved there are greater things to come! "My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing" (James 1:2, 3).

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"Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord - that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful" (James 5:10).

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