2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Job 4-6 GW; Psalms 6 GW
Bad things happen to everyone.
Eliphaz, one of three friends comforting Job in his miseries, is today’s speaker. Family man and millionaire Job lost everything but his wife. After sitting and crying for seven days and nights with his friends, Job speaks first and laments his life. Eliphaz is the first to respond.
Eliphaz’s viewpoint is Job’s actions caused the outcome. God rewards the righteous and punishes the wicked in Eliphaz’s theology. Job sinned, and this was his punishment. But Eliphaz is wrong.
“Although it’s tempting to think that the righteous are always rewarded and the wicked are always punished, in this world, it’s not always true. No one was ever more innocent than Jesus, yet He perished for our sins.” Charles Stanley
Unfortunately, bad things do happen in life. One of the most challenging events I experienced was the tragic death of my spiritual mentor’s 16-year-old son on her birthday. The only passenger, both boys, died. Monday nights, we met for Bible study. We were studying Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Her son was sitting at the computer as he always was just four days before the event. I was in my car at Home Depot when I received the call informing me of the accident. I remember thinking, “Wow, no one I know is more devoted than my friend, yet God allowed this to happen to her.” What truth I learned, doing everything the “right” way doesn’t mean you won’t experience heartache.
Turn to God.
Watching my friend give her grief to God inspired my faith. The accident occurred because her son snuck out of the house. When people flooded her home to offer condolences that evening, his mom used the moment to teach the other kids. I’ve never forgotten her words, “This is what happens when you don’t listen to your parents.” Giving her grief to God meant helping others not make the same mistake her son did. In her grief, God brought her comfort. God’s strength carried us all through those tragic days.
Pain is a part of our lives. Bad things happen to everyone. Often, we don’t know the reason. Don’t draw wrong conclusions. Lean into God for guidance.
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Lord, thank You for Jesus, who died for our sins. Forgive us for thinking; we always need to know why. Help us get past the why and trust You in all situations. Comfort us today, Lord, in the areas we are grieving. Strengthen us where we need strength. Help us live our lives to the full today for You. IJNIP. Amen
Question for reflection
What “Why?” do you need to let go of today?
