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| “Turning Points: Sudden Storms, Job & One String Part 2” Ouch! Last week, I mentioned unexpected storms that cause you to stumble, so I faked a little stumble during our worship service and ended up falling… hard. Dumb! Very dumb! Speaking of unexpected storms: We were told to prepare for an inch or two of snow today so instead, it snows all night dropping seventeen inches, bringing our whole county to a complete standstill. Oh well… it could be worse. We didn’t lose our electricity “Hey! Who turned out the lights! Ouch!” Sudden storms are why understanding Job is so important. Why would “a man of complete integrity” (Job 1:8) suffer so grievously? Job’s three friends provide no help at all as they continue to look for something he must have done wrong. Some friends! Yet when others fall, don’t we often shake our heads and offer trite explanations, unwanted criticism and slanderous gossip? “If only I had someone who would listen to me and try
to see my side!” says Job. “Look, I will sign my name to my defense.
Let the almighty show me that I am wrong… I would face the accusation
proudly.” (31:35-36) In other words… where is God when we fall
hard? Good question! “Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind. Brace yourself because I have some questions for you… Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Who defined the boundaries of the sea? Have you ever commanded the morning to appear? Where does the light come from? Can you hold back the movements of the stars?” (Parts of Job 38) What kind of answer is that? It may be the best answer of all because Job is beginning to comprehend
just who God really is. Job says, “I know that you can do anything… and I
was talking about things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me… I
take back everything I said…” (42:2-3) What did Job understand?
In the beginning, God holds up Job as a shining example but Satan
replies: “Yes, Job fears God, but not without good reason! You have always
protected him and his home and his property from harm… But take away
everything he has and he will surely curse you to your face!” (1:9-11) All the forces of good and evil are carefully watching Job! How would he
respond to catastrophe? We see him cry for mercy, beg for answers and scream
from the pain but when God finally appears… Job is expected to curse but
instead chooses to trust and all of heaven celebrates.
The great violinist, Nicolo Paganini is left with one string and a
concert hall full of expectant listeners. What would he do? Everyone is watching
and waiting. Paganini held the violin high for everyone to see and shouted, “Paganini
and one string!” He nodded to the conductor to begin and with a twinkle in
his eye, began to play as the audience shook their heads in amazement. Dr. Victor Frankl stood before the glaring lights of the Nazi courtroom
stripped of everything or was he? He suddenly realized there was one thing they
could never take away from him – just one. He had the power to choose his
attitude. Would he choose bitterness or forgiveness? Would he submit to the
sadistic brutality or would he dare to shout out, “Dr. Frankl and one
string!” U
When the doctor calls… can you trust in God’s presence to see you
through? U
When your spouse abandons you… can you believe in a God who is ever
faithful? U
When another car suddenly pulls in front of yours… can you believe God
is still in control? U
When everything seems to break… can you cling to the one string God
always provides? Studying Job fortifies your faith and strengthens the decisive one string called, “attitude:” an attitude of trust in God and determined perseverance that can withstand the tragedies to come. Sudden storms will always appear out of nowhere dumping seventeen inches of snow on a community prepared for two. Circumstances can lead to broken strings. The question is… how will you respond when you are down to that final string? What attitude will you choose? Do you have a prayer need? Click here Larry's most recent series: Turning Points Simeon & Anna: A Church, The Messiah... Wait! Why? Elijah: Victory to Despair to Faith Samson & Temptation David & Getting Even Jacob & Reconciliation Moses & Failure |