Firstly, how quick are we to renounce our faith and beliefs when the going gets tough? Are we not often like the seed that grows on the path where the soil is not deep enough and the roots are stunted in their growth so at the first gust of wind or hardship we are uprooted and die? We must sow our faith deep, in good soil, using the Word as our nourishment, looking to and trusting God as our strength, shield, waterer, nurturer... (Matthew 13). One thing I love about Job is that, whilst he is in utter turmoil, never does he doubt God, never does he lose all hope. Yes, undoubtedly his faith is shaken, yes he has a lot of anguish, sadness and complaining to do, yes at times his faith seems no bigger than a tiny mustard seed, but he is so rooted in God that not even the fiercest scheme from the devil can uproot him, and faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains (Matthew17v20)! Let's be like this! Yes in trouble we are allowed to complain, get angry, moan, be miserable, not want to get out of bed at times... This is normal! Often I feel too high an expectation as a Christian to be happy and joyful all of the time! I'm not. Infact as someone who struggles with depression quite frequently I am often far from joyful! But I am determined to trust God, to not mask up my feelings and to wear my heart on my sleeve, because that's ok! It's real! Even when my faith seems to be no more than a smouldering wick and even when the fire has gone, I cling on, stand on the Word and trust God because even a smouldering wick will not be snuffed out (Isaiah 42v3)!
Ooooo tangent that's not what I had planned to write praise God. Lol!
So what I did want to mention was this. HOW USELESS ARE JOB's MATES!!! So ok I don't want to knock them too much, they say some good stuff, have a sound understanding of Biblical knowledge from what I can see and are there trying their best to support Job. Bless them. However, their arguments are often poor, Job knows what they are saying, he doesn't need a pep talk in God's faithfulness right now, neither does he need reminding of his sin. Job has lost pretty much everything. And his friends think a good old chat will fix it all. Now, whilst I am totally pro talking, sharing, counselling and so on, sometimes this just isn't enough. Firstly we need to LISTEN, something which JOB's friends clearly don't do. Secondly we need to help people in practical ways with things they actually need help with. We need practical faith, not just the ability to put forward a good argument about God. Surely Job needed food shopping, help with doing the housework, clothing, feeding, bathing and so on during this difficult time where it seems that getting out of bed was a struggle! How often do we use the line 'oh, I'm sorry to hear that, I'll pray for you'? Someone has just spent their last penny and don't know where their next meal is coming from. But it's ok cos 'I'll pray for you'. Someone confides in you about how lonely they are as they have no friends and our response is 'aaah, I'll pray for you'. Why not BE their friend, take them out, introduce them to your friends... Yes pray. I LOVE prayer. It works! I'm not knocking it. But sometimes it's almost a get out. Guys faith without deeds is useless (James 2v20)! Let's be a people who love, who pray, who talk, who listen but who are PRACTICAL, not just doing what we THINK needs doing, but what ACTUALLY needs doing. Let's make a difference, not just a small difference but a practical, loving difference, being all things to all men, doing things for all men, meeting needs of all men (and women)... And Lord help me also!!!
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