| Our verse to DATE the Word on January 20 (1/20) is Job 1:20 |
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| Job 1:20 says, “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped.” |
| The REMARKABLE RESPONSE The response of Job worshipping God is in response to Job experiencing the WORST DAY of his life. Worshipping God when things are wonderful is one thing but worshipping God things go wrong and life is filled with pain and suffering and heartache and grief is another thing, is it not? What we see is Job responding with WORSHIP TO GOD on the worst day. And in case you don’t remember how very bad that day was for Job, he has been told of the loss of family members to a tragic death and the major loss of finances as his animals were either stolen or killed. It might be worth taking a moment and reading the 7 verses that tell of Job receiving in just a few hours the worst news ever as it really makes verse 20 more meaningful. Job 1:13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house; 14 and a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 “when the Sabeans raided them and took them away — indeed they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 16 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 17 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” 18 While he was still speaking, another also came and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 “and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead; and I alone have escaped to tell you!” How do you respond to tragically very close family members and financial ruin in a matter of hours? Through the centuries Job has been the example of responding to God when you experience your worst day ever. Notice first his response is to MOURN (seen through the actions of tearing his robe and shaving his head). There was LAMENT. Lamenting is so HUMAN. His actions are symbolic of pouring out our pain. Presently I am in Israel and earlier today I stood on what is called Tel Megiddo where I could see the valley of Jezreel. This is the area that is also known as Armageddon and one day there will be an incredible battle. However many years ago there was another battle and in that battle good king Josiah was killed. Good king Josiah was someone Judah looked to with lots of hope. He was a great leader and the nation was experiencing a revival. Yet in the battle, he was killed. His death brought about tremendous lamentations. Notice 2 Chronicles 35:25. It says, “Jeremiah also lamented for Josiah. And to this day all the singing men and the singing women speak of Josiah in their lamentations. They made it a custom in Israel; and indeed they are written in the Laments.” Jeremiah and God’s people poured out their hearts to God. They lamented what had happened to good King Josiah. Job lamented. Job mourned. And he WORSHIPED! He fell to the ground and WORSHIPED. He did not question or charge but rather WORSHIPED. God was still worthy of praise regardless of his earthly situation. On His worst day, he still worshipped God! Now I must ask myself as well as you, the reader, how do I (you) respond to God when the worst has happened? Do we TURN ON God? Do we TURN AWAY FROM God? Or do we TURN TO GOD? Do we go to WAR against God? Or do we WORSHIP God? May we learn and live like Job as we face life difficulties that come in all shapes and sizes! Continue Strong worshiping Him, And remember to DATE the Word |