Dear Missionary Lady,
Greetings in the name of the God who is infinitely greater than we are. He knows what we cannot know, and He does what we cannot do.
Lesson #45. Humility before God is the proper response in times of suffering. Suffering is never easy. Neither is suffering desirable. From a human perspective, suffering often seems wrong, and its purpose is rarely understood by those who are going through it. Each of these statements was true of Job's situation. These common human responses influenced the way Job spoke throughout the book.
First, Job recognized God’s sovereignty and His unstoppable plan. God had revealed Himself as the mighty controller of every aspect of the world, from creation to the weather to the animal kingdom. Job acknowledged, “I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee” (42:2). Job realized that God does anything He pleases. God's plan cannot be stopped. Therefore, whatever happens is within God's plan.
Second, Job recognized his own lack of comprehension. Job had uttered humanly-reasoned words that lacked a genuine foundation of accuracy. Quite simply, Job did not know what he was saying as he discoursed about his suffering. Job admitted this shortcoming in 42:3, when he said, “Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.”
Third, Job recognized first-hand how amazing God was. He had seen truth about God emerge in ways that he had never previously experienced. Job expressed his new vision this way: “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee” (42:5). Job's eyes had been opened to see the beauty and fullness of God's character.
These three statements of important truth that Job had learned led to a conclusion for Job, which he introduces with the word “wherefore” in verse 6. Because he now understood these truths about God's sovereignty, God's greatness, and his own ignorance, Job responded in humility. “Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes” (42:6).
Job acts on his conclusion in two ways. First, he retracts. (Translated “abhor,” when used intransitively, as it appears to be in this case, since “myself” is in italics, it means “to disappear and melt away.” The other common meaning is “to reject.” It is likely his words that he hates, not himself.) Job takes back his assertions, his arguments, his complaints, his human understanding. In essence, if Job had it all to do over again, knowing what he knows now, his words would be very limited. A few statements would remain, such as his desire to bless God, his determination to retain his integrity, and his confidence in his Redeemer. Some words would be worth keeping, but most of his words would be gone.
If God is sovereign, Job realized that His plan cannot be wrong and cannot happen in error. All the chapters containing Job’s statements about his integrity and the undeserved nature of his suffering dissolve in this admission.
If God has understanding that Job cannot approach, Job realized that God’s purposes can far exceed his limited ability to perceive them. All the chapters containing Job's self-defense dissipate, as he simply realizes his inability to understand everything that he had been striving so hard to process and explain.
If God is unsurpassably great in ways that Job has now seen with increased clarity, Job realized that there is no one to compare with God. The greatness of God that Job has now seen essentially makes every other component of life irrelevant. When God filled Job’s vision, the trial itself no longer mattered. All the chapters containing Job’s complaints and desperation disappear.
Job second action is to repent. He sighs and has sorrow over his failures in word and in spirit. He humbly places himself in a position to accept only what God says. As humans, we so thoroughly understand the human angst and confusion that Job experienced. In our minds, we might not believe there is any need for him to repent. What did he do that was so wrong? While we might evaluate that Job came through with flying colors, Job clearly sensed the need to repent. This was not a minor thing for him. He references dust and ashes. This is a genuine, heartfelt repentance that acknowledges his errors in both word and attitude, errors that, although they were not intentional or willful, did in fact happen.
There must come a point in all suffering that we reach this same conclusion. Perhaps, like Job, we have sincerely endeavored to seek God and to continue doing the right thing in our frail humanity. However, we will never do that perfectly. Like Job, we will speak things that we do not understand. Like Job, the implications of our statements will at times exalt ourselves above God. Like Job, we will sometimes overlook the amazing character of the God who is standing at our side.
When we realize our deviation from truth, and when we realize the implications of our thoughts and words, we can do only what Job did, which is to retract and repent. We must take back anything that we said or thought against Him and any doubt that has controlled us. Our only conclusion can be, “God, you are right, and I am wrong. You understand, and I do not. I place myself at Your mercy and discernment to do what You know is right.”
When we respond with this humility, something wonderful happens. “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6). Peter quotes this same Old Testament verse and follows it with these words, “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God” (1 Peter 5:6). God's response to humility is to pour out His grace. Grace is what we need so much when we are in extended and unexplained suffering. We can reach this point of humility without the trial ending and without understanding why it is happening. When we do, we will receive the grace of God to continue through to the end. What a wonderful provision of God!
May this gracious God give you all the grace you need this week both to respond to Him and to face whatever life (by His decree) brings. With His grace, we can keep walking forward!
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holt
member at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
No comments:
Post a Comment