"If there were never any clouds (sorrows and sufferings) in our lives, we would have no faith. God does not come near us without clouds."
Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest
How do you cope (or not cope) through the stormy seasons of life; especially when the clouds roll in and God seems to be silent or far away?
In the Old Testament Book of the same name we're given the story of a God-fearing man named Job whose faith is severely tested when some serious storm clouds roll in.
Job is described as a man who was blameless and upright; who shunned evil. He had a large family and a lot of property. Job was known as the greatest man in the East.
We will most likely be familiar with the story of Job. I suspect, if we were to be honest, that we will also be able to identify with some of the key characters and scenes that feature in the account of Job.
Job's story stretches across some 42 chapters - it's not exactly bedtime reading, there is a "happy" ending, but it's quite a journey to get there!
What's the underlying theme of Job? Author Phillip Yancey says: "The point of the Book of Job is faith: Where is God when it hurts?"
Must say I'm fascinated by the collection of in-depth conversations that are recorded in this story.
Early on in the piece there are two fairly succinct convo's recorded between the LORD and Satan. An extreme season of God-allowed testing and suffering then follows.
After the first extreme test (Satan strikes everything Job has - property and people) we're told that Job did not sin by charging God with any wrongdoing. In fact, his response was to worship God through hardship and testing!
Following a second, more personally physical test for Job, Mrs Job tells her husband to curse God and die. He responds by calling her a foolish woman and refuses to throw away his integrity.
Job is soon joined by his three friends Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. These guys clearly identified with Job in his pain then after a week of silent companionship the conversation really gets going - they clearly made up for the days of solitude!
There's a LOT that is being said - as I read it, I get the sense there are some pretty strong emotional tones and convictions flowing through all these words...it seems that there was a real faith-wrestle going on here!!
My take on it is that what these guys were basically saying to Job was that human suffering is always in proportion to one's sins! They were telling Job that he deserved to suffer.
When the three friends had finished having their say, another guy, Elihu, after waiting his turn and somehow having heard what had already been said, is compelled to add his own perspective; providing many more words of instruction to Job.
He essentially seems to be saying that God is far more knowledgeable, more powerful than man. He, too, says that God repays man for what his conduct deserves and that there is nowhere anyone can hide from God. Elihu calls upon Job to stop and consider the wonders of God - a God Who is beyond man's reach.
During all this time God was silent. No apparent response to Job’s tough situation, or the advice of his mates. I wonder if Job was thinking..”Where is God in this…?”
Not until the end of the Book do we read of God breaking His silence (just imagine how God would have felt, listening in on so many words between those few guys!!).
God speaks from a storm (...clouds). The LORD rolls out a series of questions for Job. They're mostly a list of statements about just how powerful and creative and mighty and in-control He is.
Job then has his final word. He responds to God.
He acknowledges that God is in control. He repents.
The story closes out with Job praying for his friends. God accepts his prayer and makes Job prosperous again, giving him twice as much as he had before - a new season had come; so much so that the Lord blessed the latter part of Job’s life more than the first; before the clouds and the friends with their counsel rolled in. In fact, before he died Job got to see his children’s, children’s, children’s, children.
Happy ending..?
Does every cloud have a 'silver lining'..?
I'm not so sure, but we can be assured from this story that in the end, Job got to enjoy a delightful inheritance.
* * * * * * * *
A few points to ponder, especially if you may be experiencing a stormy season at this time;
*How do you relate to God during a time of testing (praise, worship, maintain integrity, ask questions, curse Him)?
*How is God relating to you (is He silent or speaking?)
*Job teaches us that extreme seasons require extreme faith.
*some people (friends and others) may sit in silence or talk with us through our struggles. What is said may also test our faith.
*There are times when God will be silent, other times when God clearly speaks.
*There are times when God allows Satan to test God’s people.
*God welcomes our worship, even in the tough times.
"Where reasons are given, we don't need faith. Where only darkness surrounds us, we have no means for seeing except by faith."
Elisabeth Elliot
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