In my own life, during one of my own periods of intense struggle, I came to an appreciation of the book of Job from the Old Testament. One can sympathize with Job with regard to his so-called "comforters." These men in one way or another dared to speak confidently about what God was doing. "Confess your sins, Job." "It's because you've angered a righteous God in some way." Then there's Job's wife. What a peach: "Curse God and die." Then again, if I'd just lost my ten children and all the family wealth, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be saying the same thing as Mrs. Job. And quite frankly, even given the divine inside scoop that this was all brought on by Satan, isn't all that helpful in trying to understand it all.
I just don't get it, with regard to Delane. One would think that if faith as small as mustard seeds could move mountains, and if demons--demons for crying out loud--could be exorcised through prayer and fasting, then wouldn't it seem logical to hope, indeed, even to assume, that a little prayer and fasting over a surgery could in the grace of God yield more hopeful results?
The book of Job ends first, not with restoration, but with repentance and humility. "My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you, I repent in dust and ashes." The manifest presence of God did not answer any of Job's questions--none of his questions were answered--but it did appear to satisfy. True, the restoration of Job's family and wealth ends to book. And it may, indeed, be the case that this current state is merely opening the way for a definite and ever more wonderful manifestation of God's grace.
Or maybe it is the God of the whirlwind that is making his presence known in this chaos of pain and disappointment. If so, dear God, if we have had ears to hear, give us now eyes to see. And strengthen our hands for repentance.
Lord have mercy.
Posted by Clifton at February 20, 2003 01:40 PM | TrackBack