Worship in Spite of…
Job 1
Conventional wisdom teaches that success comes to those who work hard to achieve their goals. And to a point that’s true. But. Success can quickly crumble when tragedy strikes. Ask Job; he’ll tell you. He was an extremely wealthy man and the greatest among all the people of the East. He enjoyed a large, loving family. Job was blameless and upright—totally undeserving of what happened to him (Job 1:1-4). Stripped of everything. All his wealth. All his wonderful children. I can’t even imagine their emotional pain and heartache. And what was Job’s reaction to his tragedy? If you had asked me that question a couple of years ago, I would have answered: Job was incredibly accepting; he didn’t even blame God (1:22). But there’s more: “He fell to the ground in worship” (v. 20b).
WHAT?! How can a person possibly worship at a time like that, when his whole world has collapsed around him?
All Job had left was his foundation—a foundation of faith in God. And worship was his expression of that faith, declaring God’s worth to him—in spite of horrific calamity. For Job, God was enough.
From Job we learn that true worship is not reliant upon circumstances. In fact, a sacrifice of praise (Hebrews 13:15) is surely very precious in God’s view.
Second, true worship is not reliant upon emotions. We don’t have to be filled with joy in order to worship. We can worship God with our tears, expressing our trust in spite of the pain.
Job couldn’t rely on answers that would give meaning for his suffering. God gave him none. What Job did rely upon was God’s character:
· “His wisdom is profound, his power is vast” (9:4a).
· “He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted” (9:10).
· “If it is a matter of strength, he is mighty! And if it is a matter of justice who will summon him?” (9:19).
· “You gave me life and showed me kindness, and in your providence watched over my spirit” (10:12).
· “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his (12:13).
· “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest” (21:22)?
In the end, knowing God was more important to Job than knowing answers.
By Nancy Ruegg
Prayer For Today
Heavenly Father, I shake my head in wonder as people of faith such as Job neither blame you nor give up on you in the face of calamity. Instead, they rely upon you all the more tenaciously. They worship, affirming that you are still their sovereign, loving God; they testify of your strength and peace. Thank you for being a God who comes alongside us with your wisdom and grace, especially when we’re hurting. Thank you for powerful examples to follow such as Job.
Music For Today
‘Here I am To Worship’