A part in Job struck me today. Job 21:7 says "Why do the wicked still live,Continue on, also become very powerful?" I wonder this often. I feel often times that life is "unfair" That those that drive drunk kill innocent people yet they go unharmed. Some are even unphased by their actions. I am amazed by the behavior of some and it seems they are so successful. Will they eventually be punished? Will they endure hard times and will they ever be remorseful? The story of Job addresses so many things. It seems that when I read Job I think the following things.
1. Life is unfair.
2. God has a plan that we do not understand.
3. True faith continues when everything is going wrong.
4. You should remain thankful for everything you have. It can be gone in an instant.
5. Bad things happen to good people.
I'm hoping some of my pessamism will be reconciled as I continue my readings.
All of your thoughts are valid. Live seems so unfair because we have free will and we choose to behave a certain way. That has the snowball effect on not only our life but others. Sometimes the snowball just keeps getting bigger! Remember too, Satan is alive and wondering the earth looking to someone to devour.
ReplyDeleteGood to read your thoughts on Job! I guess I'm not the only one who had a hard time reading through the book (it's great, but it needs to be read straight through, and it's hard to blog something new every day about it). I can also recommend a few free resources to help you out.
ReplyDeleteHi Kelly - I came here because you commented on my blog. It seems from a quick look round that you and I have quite similar reactions to the book of Job.
ReplyDeleteI guess we tend to turn to the Bible for answers, and sometimes all it seems to do is give us more questions.
I wish you well on your journey, and you're very welcome to check up on mine. http://uncoolchristian.blogspot.com
Hi, Kelly! Job is definitely a rough one to get through. But, it shows the value of perseverance as well as the necessity for trust in God's plan (that is often unknown to us). And, Job is definitely one book that you have to read through to the end. Just reading part would likely leave a person questioning and depressed!
ReplyDeleteI think of a few particular verses in Romans when I consider Job's sufferings. Here's what Romans 5:1-5 says: "Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us."
Those last two verses especially help relate to Job's story. (Read the rest of Romans 5, if you would like... it's fantastic!)
I applaud and encourage you on this reflective journey through the Bible. You sound like you are reading with an open heart, ready to question, learn, and grow -- and that is so important! Please let me know if I can be of help.
(And thank you for coming by my blog, by the way!)
Oh, and I forgot to add... I'm a horse person, too! I grew up with Quarter Horses. Horses are such great, magnificent creatures, full of personality and lots of lessons! I loved seeing the pictures of your horses on one of your other blogs.
ReplyDeleteLynnMarie-I am amazed by the different types of tragedies that strike Job and his continued faith. I have such minor problems and they seem to snowball just like you said. This changes my perspective!
ReplyDeleteStuntMonk - I'd love to check out those resources!
Nick - Thanks for checking out my blog. I really like yours. I love reading what other people think of their journey through the bible!
Caroline - Thank you for the beautiful quote/scripture (whatever the proper word is) from Romans. It is lovely! I can't wait to read Romans. I don't know when I get to Romans in my Chronological Plan but thanks for the little preview!
Thank you all for coming to my blog and posting a comment. I find it helpful and reassuring that there are others out there either on the same quest or that understand and are willing to listen (read) my thoughts eventhough they may be uneducated (with regard to the bible)
Have a great day everyone!