THE GOD OF OZ...I MEAN UZ
- Key Verse
- "In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." (Job 1:22)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
In the midst of great suffering, we, as Job, can still see God's righteousness and blamelessness.
Reflections
When I realized that I had been assigned this passage, I literally laughed out loud. The fact that I get to welcome you to the book of suffering is a wonderful example of God's sense of humor. If you had asked me a year ago to write a devotional on this passage, I would be struggling to relate to Job. I don't have that problem anymore.
In May, I was living "A Wonderful Life." I had just graduated from college, went to Ireland with my best friend, and was looking forward to a job in a new city. I had initial growing pains adjusting to adulthood and to Austin, but nothing unexpected. I was living in "OZ" (or in reference to Job, "UZ"), and more specifically, in Munchkin Land among the Lollipop Guild and Glenda the Good Witch. Then a house fell on me.
In July, my dad was diagnosed with stage three (almost four) colon cancer, my grandparents' health and financial situation plummeted to an all-time low, leaving my parents to care for them, and our house had foundation problems resulting in major cracks and leaks everywhere. All this happened as I was adjusting to life here. So as I read about Job's first test in chapter one, I can whole-heartedly relate to, "While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said ... "
Suffering is overwhelming, especially when it feels undeserved. Job was a righteous man and is introduced as such: "This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil." Jump ahead to the end and read, "In all this Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing." The fact that Job didn't curse God shows that Job knew the character of God. Though Job didn't understand what was happening, he knew two things about God: 1) He is Sovereign - all is His, and 2) He is good.
I am still in the midst of suffering; it's easy for me to think of God like the Wizard of Oz, hiding behind a curtain. Then I look at Job and am proven wrong.
Discussion Questions
1) What situations in your life have caused you to question God's character?
2) What would be your first response to the kind of news Job received?
3) In what ways this week can you depend on the promises of God?
Chip Smith
March 1, 2010 05:13 AM
Great opening job on Job, Bonnie. What a tough chapter to be assigned. However, your comparisons are great: "Oz" for "Uz." There is much revelation here in this first chapter: The sovereignty of God, the reality of Satan, the struggle of life, and the character of man. Your questions at the end are perfect for starting this book of the Bible. I have to admit when I saw we were going to be diving into the book of Job, my first thought was, "I don't wanna." After reading your log, my whining stopped and I now look forward to our journey through Job. Thanks and have a great day!
Daren
March 1, 2010 06:48 AM
Thanks, Bonnie. What a great message to start the week; I think we all can relate in some way to what you wrote today.
Tim Hawks
March 1, 2010 08:01 AM
Bonnie, you are truly in the middle of a difficult year. Your dad is such an inspiration both as a teacher/leader and also as one who is suffering well. This chapter in Job reminded me that everything I love in life is a gift from God and nothing here is permanent. He is good in giving and taking away as He builds His future kingdom.
Bob King
March 1, 2010 08:07 AM
Bonnie, thanks for kicking off the book of Job. You are doing a great job of weathering the storm/suffering...keep focusing on our Great provider/sustainer! He will remain faithful!
diana Christensen
March 1, 2010 08:12 AM
Thanks for this devotional. What an encouragement it has been to me to see you trust and love God in the midst of your suffering. I can wait to see what God does in you and through you in the coming year.
Cindy Hawks
March 1, 2010 09:29 AM
God is really using you this year to minister to others while you trust Him with these HUGE struggles. Your trust and eternal perspective have been an encouragement to me & others in women's ministry. Thanks for giving us perspective on this journey into Job!
norma harais
March 1, 2010 09:30 AM
Sometimes when it rains it pours -- we all know others (or ourselves) experiencing some level of suffering. Yet when we consider that God's "been there, done that", he knows how we feel yet still allows it, we have to trust that He has something much better in store for us than we can comprehend. I pray you and your family find peace with this and you feel God's blessings and presence despite your suffering.
Debi crandall
March 1, 2010 11:06 AM
what a powerful yet totally relevent scripture in my life at this time. Since moving back to Claifornia(doors which I thought only God could open) it has been one hardship after another. Thanks to God and HCBC for my strength to plow through it all and I do know that god will not leave my stranded here in the desert...LOL lierally I'm in the desert of California. This is the First time I have said that out loud!!!!! Thank you for allowing me to continue finding a haven in Hill Country.
Diane Perkins
March 1, 2010 03:26 PM
Bonnie, Great job and I know that God will see you through your tough year. I too, have had a rough year. Last March my house was hit by the March 25th hail storm to the tune of $20,000 in damage, then in Sept (Sept 11th to be exact) my home was broken into and robbed doing over $7,000 in damage to my home and then on Feb 11th again I was broken into and robbed doing over $2,000 in damage to my home not to mention the items taken in both robberies. The next Sunday while at HCBC worship I prayed to God and said I know I shouldn't ask why so I'm not going to but I am asking that you will protect me and give me a sign for what you want me to do. I felt peace come over me and I feel that I now know what to do. God has always helped me through rough times and he will show you the way as well. Just wanted to share my story with you.
Beckye Estill
March 1, 2010 05:25 PM
Bonnie, your faith and encouragement through your own difficulties have been such a blessing to me. I am so proud of you for your faithfulness and service to the Lord in the midst of suffering. Thanks for sharing with us. Great devotional! God is good!
Jeany
March 2, 2010 08:28 AM
Hi, Bonnie, Thank you for your devotional...even though I read it one day behind. I used to attend your father's church in Irving when I was living up there (it was a great spiritual refreshment for me as a recent college grad), and I still keep up with IBC news through his regular e-mails. God is no doubt using his cancer and recovery to encourage many others. In all the big and little storms that I have to go through, like yourself, I don't see and understand what God is doing at the time. But God has always been gracious enough to reveal to me why He wanted me to go through it. The outcome of the exercise has always been the same--God is always in control and He wants me to be more like Jesus. Have a blessed day and enjoy your new life in Austin, TX!
Michelle
March 2, 2010 11:03 AM
Gosh, I had to come back and read this afresh AGAIN today! It feels as though my little family of 3 and I have been in the 'midst of suffering' since I was 8 months pregnant... that was 6 1/2 years ago! Several job losses, income slashed in half… and then slashed again, loss of insurance, birth of child, foundation problems (us too! and still it’s a problem), death of both my son’s grandfather’s….I could go on, but these are examples a plenty. And still I know God is good. But confess it is sometimes difficult to worship without whining my “When will it get better prayer?”. And still we get through it, we are a happy family who love God deeply… even our little 6 year old This is all temporary and while I’m in no hurry to get to my final promised land (I enjoy my husband and son and getting to know God in a more full way through the years), I do take solace in the fact that it won’t always be like this. Thanks for your heartfelt devotion!