Over the past year I have been working my way through the Bible. I’ve jumped around a bit and I’m reading the book of Job now. I don’t know about you but I have often wondered why the book of Job was in the Bible. Why was it included? It’s just so depressing!
Then I was reading in chapter 12 and verse 6 says, “The tents of robbers are at peace, and those who provoke God secure, who bring their god in their hand.” And then in chapter 13 it says, “Though he slay me, I will hope in him.” And then it was clear. The Bible is a tool. It was meant for us to use to navigate life and help us through trials and seasons and that’s exactly what the book of Job is there for.
Job lost every single thing in his life. Job 12:6 illustrates exactly how we see things with our human eyes. “The tents of robbers are at peace....” Isn’t that just exactly how we feel sometimes?! I’m falling apart and yet those who despise God are thriving.
I was reading through chapter 30 yesterday and it just absolutely spoke to me.
“"And now my soul is poured out within me; days of affliction have taken hold of me. The night racks my bones, and the pain that gnaws me takes no rest. God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes. I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me. You have turned cruel to me; with the might of your hand you persecute me. You lift me up on the wind; you make me ride on it, and you toss me about in the roar of the storm.” Job 30:16-17, 19-22
After reading this I just thought, “The Season of Job”. I have been in this place, I have seen people in this place and I had never even thought to compare it to Job. Restless, in pain (physically, spiritually, emotionally), lost and looking for something. Job is raw, real, and honest. It shows us what it looks like to be lost and to still hope in God. It shows us what it looks like to give up and resign yourself to a life of despair.
The season of Job is a place that I pray many never have to enter but that so many of us do. I’ve been there lost and looking for God. I’ve prayed with no answer and I’ve felt that I am stuck, trapped or just set on repeat with no way to go forward. It’s dark and it’s hard but it is not the end.
In Chapter 38, God basically tells Job to brace himself like a man and then spends the next four chapters telling Job how insignificant he is. These are actually some of my favorite chapters in the Bible because they really just remind me to trust God and show me how great he is.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding.” (38:4) “Have you commanded the morning since your days began...” (38:12)
You know what I take away from these chapters of correction? Shut up and trust God.
The book of Job is not in the Bible to depress us. It’s there as a reminder. God placed Job in a place of despair. He put Job in a place where he was looked down on, mocked, alone, lost and wondering. But what we have to remember is that God placed Job in this season because he trusted him.
“And the Lord said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?"” Job 1:8
I have heard people asking why God would do this to someone who loved him, someone blameless, and I have even asked this question. But when I read Job 1:8 it doesn’t sound like a malicious God seeking to destroy someone loyal to him. It sounds like a proud father bragging about his child. God had so much faith in Job, so much trust that he allowed Job to go through a season of despair.
We can feel trapped in the depths, like God has surly forsaken us. We can feel stuck, like we don’t matter, we’re not making a difference, life is on repeat and nothing is changing, nothing is moving forward. I need change, I need help, I need direction, I need something. The season of Job is hard but instead of complaining, placing blame or trying to find your own way out try to simply seek God. For as long as it takes, seek God.
Spiritual dry seasons aren’t always of our own making. Sometimes they come from God, sometimes they are how we get his throne room. Is God calling you to his throne room? Maybe he is simply a proud father with faith in his child.
You don’t have the answers, God does. You can’t overcome it, God can. He is wise beyond our wildest imaginings. More than I can think, he is. Be careful to judge a situation with your narrow view. “"Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” Job 38:2 God is knowledge, God is wisdom, seek him.
“12 And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. And he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys. 17 And Job died, an old man, and full of days.” Job 42:12, 17
God takes care of his children. Trust him.
Learning to love all seasons,
Mom-uh-riah
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