ListenDaily - 07 July 2009: Oh God, what am I going to do now?
Job's First Test
One day when Job's sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, a messenger came to Job and said, "The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, "The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!" While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, "Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.
Job 1:13-22 NIV (find any passage at www.Biblegateway.org)
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
Other than the actions of Christ Himself, is there a greater statement of profound faith than this, anywhere in the Bible?
"The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
"Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."
"Then he fell to the ground in worship..."
As we move through this study, we will see that while Job did not understand everything that happened to him, he remembered the most important thing, God is still God, and all God does is right. His response to more tragedy than anyone can imagine was to worship. Centuries before Paul wrote the letters to the Thessalonians and the Philippians, Job understood the precepts: "give thanks in all circumstances" and "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
Job did not question, he did not rail, he did not consult..."he fell to the ground in worship."
Amen.
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Questions:
1. What is the importance of Job's act? 2. How do you respond to bad news? 3. How might that be different if your first response was worship?
INTERESTING THOUGHTS:
"A man can no more diminish God's glory by refusing to worship Him than a lunatic can put out the sun by scribbling 'darkness' on the wall of his cell." C.S.Lewis
"If thou beest ever so exact in thy morals, and not a worshiper of God, then thou art an atheist." William Gurnall
"Missions is not the ultimate goal of the church. Worship is. Missions exists because worship doesn't." John Piper
"Beware in your prayers, above everything else, of limiting God, not only by unbelief, but by fancying that you know what He can do. Expect unexpected things, above all that we ask or think. Each time, before you Intercede, be quiet first, and worship God in His glory. Think of what He can do, and how He delights to hear the prayers of His redeemed people. Think of your place and privilege in Christ, and expect great things!" Andrew Murray
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