When Everything Goes Wrong
He was a good man. He tried to live right even pre-empted the children's excesses. He loved his God, was faithful to his wife. His children were the envy of their neighbours. He was the neighbourhood saint. Everyone in need knew he could, and he always helped. Life was good and bam, everything changed. The news came; his children had just died. They were returning from school. Could this have been prevented? How did he miss the signs? Were the sacrifices not enough?
The answers were finding their way out, but there came cause for more questions. The man himself became ill. Some said it could be stress; others attributed it to grief. Some who had always wondered the secret of his well-being was sure it was God judging, how else would God expose a man's deep secrets?
No one would understand this man's life better than Job. He lost all his children, became broke overnight and even got stricken with a strange ailment. Rather than get compassion from friends, he got scolded. Their words were at their best miserably comforting. Rather than solve the problem, they created more issues. From their hearts came deep thoughts all revealing men's heart of envy, strife, jealousy and much more all couched in the name of care. Has religion ever tried to explain your pain? Have you had a Pharisee analyse your predicament? You will emerge miserably comforted.
(The story is told in all 42 chapters of the book of Job)
She was ok with the way her life had run. Her hubby was already old, and she had waited for too long to have a son. God has blessed her just that He did not include the blessing of a son. She wished He did but could not complain. He had been kind, nonetheless. She resigned to being hospitable. She would care for the man of God even build him a house if she had to. She loved God enough not to hinge her relationship with Him on the material. And then he comes with the promise of a son. Wonderful! Nice. The boy grew, and just when they were getting used to being the perfect family, death snatched the son. Did she not tell God she was good without the son?
Why whet her appetite? What was that even all about? To the messenger she went and getting to him she blurted 'I did not ask to be given a son. I had resigned myself, why taunt me?' She felt deceived, she felt betrayed, she felt used, she felt hopeless and embarrassed. What was all that about?
(2 Kings 4:8-37)
Has something terrible happened to you when you are doing your best to stay in the straight and narrow? Have you been accused of arrogance when you are struggling to make sense of your predicament? Has religion ever analysed your life and you are feeling lost in the analysis? Have you ever felt all alone amid the crowd? Have you ever known the frustration of being misunderstood by people who should know? Have you ever had to endure the frustration of not getting direct answers from God?
Ask Job and the Shunamite woman. They know that road well. They were there when the journey started, but the good news is they were also there when the journey ended. Job got double for his trouble. The woman got her son back. You will get your own too: your hubby, your child, your vision, your marriage, your wealth will all return.
As for you, my beloved, you have not heard the last of the story. Know this, though; it is the same God who restored Job that will bring you back to your rightful place. It is the same God who gave him double what he lost that would bring laughter to your situation again. He sees and hears all your inner cries. He feels you, my brother; He will make it all good in the end. Just hold on! Just hold on to the one who has no beginning and certainly cannot end. He cannot be limited, and His power cannot be measured. Rest in His love, my beloved, God is on your case.
