January 19
Job 1:1-4:21
One of the clearest opportunities to find what we believe is to suffer. When we find ourselves in a hard place like Job, it quickly reveals our true beliefs about God. Job loses his wealth, family (except his wife), and physical comfort, and after this spends nearly forty chapters wrestling with the why of his suffering. Job cannot understand why he would be made to suffer and determines it must be due to God not being fair. Eliphaz jumps in and states it must be due to Job's sin. Eliphaz's theology only allows for suffering in the lives of those who have disobeyed God. Thus, Eliphaz is one of the first proponents of what is now known as the 'health, wealth, prosperity gospel theology.' This is the idea that if you have enough faith you will be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. This view of God has no room for suffering or difficulty in the life of the faithful. This theology sounds great but is absolutely wrong.
The Bible is filled with the people of God suffering despite their faithfulness, namely Jesus. Jesus was one hundred percent faithful, yet was rejected, beaten, and killed. He suffered beyond what we can imagine, not because he was faithless, but because he was faithful. We, like Job, may suffer for our faithfulness and, in these times, must cling to who God is and not make up our own version of God to suit our situation.
Father God, help me to see you for who you are. Help me to trust in you when life is hard and cling to the truth that you will never leave me or forsake me. Amen.
Why is it easier to make up a false god than believe in the God revealed to us in the Bible?
One of the clearest opportunities to find what we believe is to suffer. When we find ourselves in a hard place like Job, it quickly reveals our true beliefs about God. Job loses his wealth, family (except his wife), and physical comfort, and after this spends nearly forty chapters wrestling with the why of his suffering. Job cannot understand why he would be made to suffer and determines it must be due to God not being fair. Eliphaz jumps in and states it must be due to Job's sin. Eliphaz's theology only allows for suffering in the lives of those who have disobeyed God. Thus, Eliphaz is one of the first proponents of what is now known as the 'health, wealth, prosperity gospel theology.' This is the idea that if you have enough faith you will be healthy, wealthy, and prosperous. This view of God has no room for suffering or difficulty in the life of the faithful. This theology sounds great but is absolutely wrong.
The Bible is filled with the people of God suffering despite their faithfulness, namely Jesus. Jesus was one hundred percent faithful, yet was rejected, beaten, and killed. He suffered beyond what we can imagine, not because he was faithless, but because he was faithful. We, like Job, may suffer for our faithfulness and, in these times, must cling to who God is and not make up our own version of God to suit our situation.
Father God, help me to see you for who you are. Help me to trust in you when life is hard and cling to the truth that you will never leave me or forsake me. Amen.
Why is it easier to make up a false god than believe in the God revealed to us in the Bible?
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