Jan 4 (Daily reading: Job 1-5) These chapters reveal some realities. There is the reality of both God and Satan, but also the reality of God’s supremacy. Satan could only inflict pain on Job with God’s permission. Job recognized God’s supremacy: “The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” (1:21). There is the reality of catastrophe in our broken world. It can be the loss of family or the loss of possessions; it can be suffering because of sickness and pain. Sometimes Christians want to deny the reality of negative emotions, but Job did not: “Why did I not die at birth? … I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil” (3:11,26). Job’s experience reminds us that negative emotions accompany suffering. God does not expect us to pretend; we can be honest with Him (He has broad shoulders!). Finally, there is the reality of our confidence that God hears us when we admit we are hurting, and this provides hope, as Job would ultimately learn, of His healing touch. “Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Pet. 5:7).
-Al Gary
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