JOB 14:1-2 – Man who is born of a woman is few of days and full of trouble. He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. “
THEME OF THE DAY: LIFE ACCORDING TO JOB. Have you ever been surprised when all of a sudden life gets hard; a fiery trial comes upon us, we raise our eyebrows in somewhat of a shocked way as if life is supposed to be easy? In that moment, listen to the Apostle Peter give us some good advice – Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13).
Today’s scripture is taken from the oldest book in the Bible – Job. We likely are familiar with its contents and themes. This book has long been recognized as the place to learn how to suffer well. Granted, suffering is a dominant theme in Job, but not the only one. The chief theme is the sovereignty of God and the lessons from Job go far beyond teaching us the right responses to suffering. It also educates us not to be surprised when life is hard and full of trouble. As we look at Job’s words about life, we are reminded of three certainties about life we may easily forget. The evidence we are forgetting them is when we commit the sin of complaining.
First, Job reminds us life is short – man who is born of a woman is few of days. It isn’t hard to be remember this truth. Just look back at old pictures or even stare in a mirror for a minute or two. We will see the brevity of life by the aging process we are experiencing. This should make us wise on how we serve the Lord. Our zeal will soon fade and the abilities we may now have, mentally and physically, gone, never to be recovered, so use time wisely (Ephesians 5:15-16).
Another lesson taught by Job is this life contains many difficulties – man who is born of a woman is a few of days and full of trouble. Jesus told us, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). It has been said of life, “We are either going into a trial, coming out of a trial, or preparing for a trial.” Don’t expect it any other way for God has ordained it would be this way.
A final lesson we learn from Job is the sudden end that may come to our lives – He comes out like a flower and withers; he flees like a shadow and continues not. The writer of the letter to the Hebrews gives us the certainty of our death, And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment (Hebrews 9:27), but not the certainty of the when of our death. Such pictures of a withering flower and fleeting shadow, coupled with the truth of Hebrews, should make us ever on guard against the dangerous sin of procrastination. Don’t put off known spiritual responsibilities to a not promised tomorrow. Not only is it disobedience but produces a lukewarm heart.
So, life according to Job. The godly man who suffered much in life, teaches us much about life. Let’s be good learners from him!
PRAYER: “Father, please forgive me for the times I complain because life is hard, forgetting it is supposed to be.”
QUOTE: “Don’t be surprised when life is hard. God ordained it to be so because of sin and that will not change in this life.”
In the affection of Christ Jesus,
Pastor Jim