God's heroes Week 24, 2015

I have heard it said Job was the cause of his afflictions. That lack of faith was the reason Satan found a loophole to afflict him. What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. Job 3:25(NIV). But a time honoured and sure way of interpreting scripture is using other scripture passages relevant to the matter. In Job2:3(NIV) scripture says the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason." No reason. Without cause - as put in some translations. Or do we believe God is shy to face his people with unbelief? Jesus makes it clear why Peter sank in the waters, "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?" Matt 14:31(NIV); and why the disciples were not able to cast out a demon. Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith.” Matt 17:19-20(NIV)

If God’s statement in Job2:3 is to be taken literally (and it has to be) unbelief was not why God allowed the affliction. Was it pride on Job’s part? If it was then the accusation of his three friends that hidden sin was the cause would have been accurate. But God who searches the heart and tries the motives declared “you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason”. So Job dreaded disaster. Yes. It encouraged him to walk holily: For I dreaded destruction from God, and for fear of his splendour I could not do such things. Job 31:23 (NIV) Armed robbers attacked and killed his men, all his livestock stolen or destroyed, all his children died in one day when a whirlwind destroyed the house (Job1:13-20). Job’s theology, and that of his God-fearing friends was shattered by the events (we still grapple with this book today), yet he maintains integrity to the end.

Tragically when unexpected, unexplained things have happened some have left God. When lack of faith or sin in the life could not explain it; when failure to tithe and give seed faith could not be fingered as the culprit, could God say of me ‘And he still maintains his integrity’? Today’s teachings imply you can pretty much regulate the happenings around you if you have faith, think right, give generously... but from of old the heroes of God stand firm when unexpected inexplicable things happen. Then they worship. At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship Job1:20-21(NIV).  I do not pray that Job’s troubles come upon you or I. But I do pray we become those who withstand ill treatment and adverse situations without cause, and yet worship God. It’s such stuff that makes God’s heroes. All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. Instead, they were longing for a better country — a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God. Heb 11:13, 16 (NIV)

 Ever wondered the difference between singing praise and worshipping?