Last night...
about 25 senior-hi students attended prayer share at our home, enjoying food, friends and Jesus...we also watched NOOMA-WHIRLWIND by Rob Bell, which reviews scripture from the Book of Job.
Life is sometimes hard...this video got me thinking about God's providence...when I might LIKE IT and when I MAY NOT.
My immediate reaction ...Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."
WE'RE created to worship Him... Colossians 1:16 "For by him ALL things were created...all things were created by him and for him." ...for His purpose and Glory!
But...Questions are difficult throughout life:
why is there suffering; why is does it seem evil prevails sometimes? Speaking of questioning...People AROUND Job were questioning God.
Job, himself though, was steadfast in God's providence and plans. Our youth pastor CHALLENGED US TO STUDY IT FURTHER THROUGH SOME OF THE ONLINE COMMENTARIES...so, today I followed up with Mathew Henry :)
Mathew Henry's commentary shares these snippets...my responses are in ORANGE.
Job's patience DURING troubles: A GREAT EXAMPLE TO FOLLOW
Satan's malice started it...God restrained him though: GOD's LOVING CARE REITERATED
Job's restoration began in God's mercy, when he was praying for his
friends: GOD HONORS SINCERE CONCERN NOT MEAN DISPUTES.
God doubled Job's possessions: PATIENT SUFFERING BLESSED
Job's friends wronged God: JOB SPOKE GOD'S TRUTH
Job prayed/offered sacrifice for persecutors: JOB'S RENEWAL BEGAN
Quarrels with God ALWAYS begin on our part: MAKING PEACE BEGINS ON God's PART
Our prayers/services should be acceptable by Lord's standards; not for
praise of men: STRIVE TO PLEASE GOD, HE BLESSES OBEDIENCE.
JOB 42:12,16,17 The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. ... After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.
Humble faith and sincere obedience see farthest and best into the will of the Lord.
"If you're reading this, Allen...thanks for challenging us to DIG DEEPER!" There was definitely MORE to the STORY and JOB was blessed in the end!
