In the land of Uz there lived a man named Job, described as “upright and blameless before the Lord.” He had a large family, and was incredibly revered, successful, and prosperous in his region.
One day, Satan joined the angels in approaching the Lord. Like a predator on the prowl, he visited God after roaming about the earth, looking for someone to devour. God mentioned that there was no person like Job in all the land; that he feared the Lord and avoided that which is evil. Satan suggested that Job only loved and feared God because the Lord had gifted him with wealth; that if all that he possessed was taken away, then Job would surely curse the Lord.
God allowed Satan to do as he wished to Job, short of touching him. Subsequently, Job lost all his animals, servants, and children in tragic accidents. In Job’s despair, he could have easily blamed and cursed God for his devastating misfortune. Instead, he fell to the ground and worshipped God, saying, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21)
Satan again approached the Lord about Job, saying that Job will surely curse God if he became ill. God gave Satan permission to have his way with Job, short of taking his life. Satan afflicted Job with sores all over his body, causing him great anguish. Job’s wife encouraged him to curse God so that his life would end, and he would no longer be in pain. But Job refused. Job’s three friends traveled to visit him in his suffering. They declared that Job must have committed a sin against God to receive so great a punishment.
Job remained steadfast in his assertion that he was blameless before the Lord. Job’s friends spoke falsely about God’s wisdom and capabilities, but Job refused to speak ill of the Lord. Job recognized and acknowledged God’s awesome power in the midst of his personal storm.
Because of Job’s refusal to curse God for his suffering, God restored all that had been taken from Job and multiplied it, gifting him with more wealth, possessions, animals, and children than he had previously.
The Old Testament Israelites pale in comparison to Job.
Despite God meeting their needs and rescuing them time and again, performing miracles and accomplishing the impossible to save them, the Israelites often grumbled about their circumstances and waned in their faith in God.
Psalm 78 recites God establishing His law in Israel during Jacob’s time. God desired the Israelites to remember all that He had done and to teach it to their children. The Israelites did not follow God’s command, so the next generation was unaware of His wonder and miracles. The Israelites continued to sin and rebel against God and would often put Him to the test. “True, he struck the rock, and water gushed out, streams flowed abundantly, but can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?” (Psalm 78:20)
How quickly we forget.
In the midst of our frustration, our pain, our agony, our worry, our anxiety, how quickly we forget God’s goodness, His provision, His promises.
How quickly we forget all He has given to us, all the times He answered our prayers, all of the times He showed grace and mercy despite our sin and folly.
The Book of Job provides a beautiful description of God’s sheer authority and omnipotence. “Where were you when I laid the earth’s foundation? Tell me, if you understand. Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Who stretched a measuring line across it? On what were its footings set, or who laid its cornerstone – while the morning stars sang together, and all the angels shouted for joy?” (Job 38:4-7)
We live in an era of entitlement. We believe that because of our sheer existence, we are warranted certain privileges and pleasures, often without earning them.
My heart aches knowing Job – blameless and upright – had to endure hardships due to no fault of his own. But may we glean wisdom from his suffering.
Job recognized that he had no right to demand anything from God. He was living on God’s earth, living among God’s creation, living on borrowed time from the Lord. Job recognized that every breath he took was a gift from the Father.
As we near Thanksgiving Day, many of us will gather with family and friends. We will set a table and enjoy a time of food and fellowship together.
Gathering at a table is mentioned throughout the Bible. Tables were used as a place to converse, a place to rest, a place where God’s provisions were offered to His people.
When we walk securely in our faith in God, we have no need to fear feasting at the table even when danger could be near. “You (God) prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.” (Psalm 23:5)
We have no need to doubt that God will supply our needs, even as we wait for His promises to be fulfilled. As the Israelites often forgot, seasons of anticipation and seasons of darkness are temporary.
“Can God really set a table in the wilderness?” (Psalm 78:19)
Yes, He can.
All things are possible for God.
“Who shut up the sea behind doors when it burst forth from the womb, when I made the clouds its garment and wrapped it in thick darkness, when I fixed limits for it and set its doors and bars in place, when I said ‘This far you may come and no farther; here is where your proud waves halt’? Have you ever given orders to the morning, or shown the dawn its place, that it might take the earth by the edges and shake the wicked out of it?” (Job 38:8-13)
Despite His frustration, God rained manna down from heaven for the Israelites, even as they doubted His goodness, even as they asked for more blessings.
A Good Father providing for His children time and again.
He knows we are but flesh. He knows how quickly we forget.
His mercies are new every morning.
As we prepare to celebrate Thanksgiving, may we not forget the times God rained manna down from heaven for us, despite our disobedience and disbelief.
There is always something to be thankful for.
May the table of the Lord be set before you wherever you are this week…
Whether sitting at a banquet among honored guests.
Whether dining in the presence of enemies.
Whether serving the least and the lost.
Whether stumbling through the wilderness.