Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Job 1-4
Job 3:25
For the thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of is come unto me.
“Why did God allow all this to happen to Job?” This is a common question about this great book. It is a question that has been asked for thousands of years. Every reader of the Bible has probably wondered, “Why did all this happen to Job?” After all, for a person who was, according to God’s Word, …perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil… to go from riches to poverty, suffer the loss of ten children, and then become infirm in his flesh is not normal. After all, “Why do bad things happen to good people?” Right?
To these questions there are many answers and many reasons why God allowed all this to happen. One that is often overlooked is found in today’s verse. Job greatly feared the loss of everything. He was afraid that what happened would happen. Perhaps his loving Father in Heaven wanted Job to face his great fear and realize he didn’t have to fear it. Yes, he lost everything, but received it all back double. As to the loss of his children we can only hope and assume that Job was united with them again in Heaven, plus the ten additional children God gave him.
One lesson of the dozens that can be taken from Job’s life story is we don’t have to fear the things we fear. God is in control. He sets the boundaries of suffering. He is good all the time, and all the time He is good. Job knew this to be the case causing him to refrain from charging God foolishly (1:22).
The term “fear not” is used in 62 verses in our Bible. It is a command of God; one that is almost impossible to obey, but it can be obeyed. There is one and only one way to not fear the eventualities of life. Trust God. By faith, have trust in God. David wrote of this in Psalm 56:3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. Then in verse 11 the king wrote; In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
Let’s say a person had a very rich loving father. That person did their best, lived their life well, and tried to stay financially solvent. Yet, no matter how they may try, a financial disaster could take place wherein they could lose everything. But that fear is assuaged by the knowledge that their loving benevolent father could, and would, make sure they are not severely impoverished. He is their confidence against becoming a financial ruin.
Likewise, our Father in Heaven is, or can be, a child of God’s confidence against any and all fears that may burden us. As a child we had fears of all sorts. Many times, our mom or dad were there to calm our fears. Bad dreams at night as a child, dad would check the room and make sure no bad guys were there. Remember, as a child, Mom or Dad were the ones we put our trust in, not ourselves. Perhaps this was something God was doing with Job, He was showing His child that He had nothing to fear for He was there, and He was strong, and He would make sure that everything was going to be alright. After all, Jesus said, But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows. Luke 12:7
God’s children will suffer in this world, on this the Bible is clear, but in that suffering God is there. Have trust in God always at all times, in every situation, and through every trial. Have faith in God! If you have to face your fears, do like Job did, wobble yes, but don’t sin with your lips nor charge God foolishly. In the end you will understand. Today Job understands, for he too has read his story. But when he was going through it, all he had was faith. When all a person has is faith in God, it is enough. For when all a child of God has is God, they will learn that He is enough. Yes, certainly, when God is all you have, God is all you need.
Dr. William T. Howe
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