Good morning. Yesterday’s thought was centered on prayer, and while today’s thought isn’t a repeat, I will begin with a story of prayer: In his book “It’s Anybody’s Ballgame” Hall of Famer Joe Garagiola reflects upon his friend and fellow catcher, Yogi Berra. One time when the Yankees were playing, and Berra was behind the plate, an opposing player came up to bat and drew a cross in the dirt with the end of his bat. The player then looked towards the heavens and whispered a prayer. Berra, who was known as a man of serious Christian faith, took his glove and wiped out the image of the cross. Removing his mask, he looked up and muttered his own prayer. The other player redrew the cross and repeated his prayer, this time speaking more loudly. Berra again wiped out the drawing of the cross and offered up his prayer much louder than the first time. This was repeated once more, with each player getting louder and obviously irritated. Finally, the umpire stepped between them and said, “Hey guys, how about we just let the Lord enjoy the ballgame?”
Another time, while wildly celebrating after winning the World Series, one of his teammates said to Berra, “Well there’s no doubt about it Yogi, you sure got God in our corner for the series!” Berra responded, “I guess so, but He’s not with us now.” “What do you mean?” the other player asked. “Oh, He’s not with us right now,” Berra told him, “He’s in the other locker room. You see, God’s way is always to take care of the ones who are suffering.” I think Mr. Berra may have had a point.
In the Book of Job Satan challenges God, and God allows Satan to torment a faithful man named Job. Quite frankly, by all of our human standards, this absolutely was not fair. Job didn’t seem to deserve such torment. But as is often the case, fairness isn’t always God’s main concern. Salvation and eternity are far more within His interests. Job doesn’t accept his unfortunate, and in his mind “unfair” treatment particularly well. In fact, Job cries out with a great deal of anguish and rage. Of course, his wife and his good friends didn’t help matters much. His friends pushed him to confess to what he must have done to drive God to take such terrible actions against him. His wife simply gave him what she thought to be reasonable advice: “Curse God and die.”
When we read Job, we read several pages that are usually described as “Job’s complaint.” I think that “complaint” is putting it mildly. “Job’s incredible whine” may be closer to the truth. But Job certainly had reasons for his attitude, since he was perfectly miserable. When we get to the 38th chapter, from the midst of a whirlwind, God begins to answer Job. Job doesn’t take God’s answer well at first, but as God reminds Job of who He is and how far reaching His understanding extends while Job’s understanding is pitifully limited, Job comes around. We read this in Job 42:3-6 ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job learned the truth of God in the midst of his suffering. God hadn’t abandoned him, and God would take care of him. But everything happens in God’s time, not ours.
There are a couple of things I find amazing about this face-off between God and Job. The first is that God never explains to Job the reason for his suffering. In other words, it isn’t because God answers Job’s questions that Job is finally satisfied. It is because Job grows in his understanding of God that he comes to accept God’s will. In accepting God’s will, Job finds the peace to calm his rage and hope for the future.
The second amazing thing is that God does not side with Job’s friends, God sides with Job. This seems highly unlikely. Wasn’t Job God’s accuser? Weren’t his friends God’s defenders? God lifts Job up because, as we see in the verses quoted above, Job found the answer to what was required for his walk with God: humility. God is tender and compassionate, God is forgiving and willing to restore us, but it requires our humility. Humility leads us to trust. Trust leads us to a place of acceptance. Humility, trust, and the acceptance of God’s will, leads to our blessing.
Be blessed today!
Vern