At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship. Job 1:20
Job was hit with gut wrenching calamity. Have you been there, maybe through the loss of a loved one, your health, or even a dream? Can you feel Job’s pain as his grief manifests physically? I can. Most of us have felt the kind of grief that leaves us in a crumpled mess weeping. It is tempting to rant against God, accusing Him or demanding a different circumstance. But note Job’s response. He expresses his grief, shaking and sobbing I’m sure, and he worships.
Why was Job able to worship under such horrific circumstances? It is because He knew God. And He was able to acknowledge His sovereignty.
Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised. Job 1:21
Job’s ability to respond in this way didn’t happen overnight. Job didn’t make a plan of what to do in this unforeseen circumstance. He couldn’t have. Job had lived a life of faithfulness, walking with God. He feared God and shunned evil.1 This muscle was so strong that in the moment of crisis his response was to worship. That didn’t mean his grief wasn’t great or unimportant. It didn’t mean that he didn’t have questions for God. But he was willing to trust that God was in control and put himself in His hands.
I want worship to be my first response to all of life – the good, the hard and the horrible. It’s easy to worship when things are going my way, but God is still God in the confusing and painful seasons too. My response to Him should never be swayed by my circumstance. Knowing Him better each day will move my heart to unwavering worship.
Bless You, Lord, today and forever. What a great confidence we have in You.
Then Job replied to the Lord: "I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted." Job 42:1-2
1. Job 1:8
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