A FOREST NIGHT

The leaves have fallen from the trees,
save the willowy group of Tamaracks;
and the coyotes yip in the rustling leaves
with the moonlight on their backs.
 
The shadows grow in the chilly air
and the wind brings out an owl,
and they know that winter brings its share
when the coyotes start to howl.
 
Yet, they hold on fast through the stirring night,
like the ones who always pray,
having faith and trust in the morning light
and hope for a brand new day.

 

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, 

that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.

Luke 18:1

 

 

A FOREST NIGHT

Job feared God and shunned evil. Then, Satan crafted a proposition to God and God allowed Satan to take what was Job's to prove that Job would still fear God and shun evil. After four messengers delivered awful news to Job about losing his children and livestock, Job didn't sin by charging God with wrongdoing. He had said: naked, he had come into the world, and naked, he would leave, and that the LORD gives and takes away. Job maintained his integrity through immense loss. 

Then, the sores came. Personal suffering in the form of painful sores all over his body, from head to toe, were allowed to be inflicted on Job. Job accepted good from God, but also trouble. We might remember the words of Paul about remaining content in all circumstances, and even through intense suffering.

The last chapter is today's focus because of repentance. By chapter 42, we read that Job repents. Did Job repent because he was beginning to question God's sovereignty or will? Did his friends get to him with their arguments? Out of a whirlwind, God had answered Job (chapter 38-41) and now, in the last chapter, Job responded to God.

"I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, 'Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?' Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, 'I will question you, and you shall answer Me.' I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eyes see You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes."

Job 42: 2-6

We read that Job admits his lack of understanding and displays humility. We might be encouraged to remember to say 'Thy will be done.' We may not understand why we suffer but our condition does not change who God is. Who are we to see God's overall plan and purpose? As His created, we can put our whole trust in Almighty God, Creator, and who gives us The Anointed, The Christ.

And so it was, after the LORD had spoken these words to Job, that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, "My wrath is aroused against you and your two friends, for you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has. Now therefore, take for yourselves seven bulls and seven rams, go to My servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and My servant Job shall pray for you. For I will accept him, lest I deal with you according to your folly; because you have not spoken of Me what is right, as My servant Job has."

Job 42:7-8

We might learn that God hears our words of folly. Ouch! Is your foolery showing? Self-check. Look in the mirror. Are what you're doing and saying utter nonsense? Just because we may not hear God speaking at the moment doesn't mean He's not listening. Attentively. When you're alone. When at church. Anywhere. So, be mindful. Bow your head. Humble yourself. Remember who created you. Come before the LORD.

So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did as the LORD commanded them; for the LORD had accepted Job. And the LORD restored Job's losses when he prayed for his friends. Indeed the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before."

Job 42:9-10

I imagine Job's friends were happy to have Job as their friend. Do you have a praying friend? Do you know of truly born-again Christian people who actually pray? Every day? Who rely on Almighty God and not something or someone else? I am blessed to have praying friends, and I can always welcome more.

In all the land were found no women so beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance among their brothers.

Job 42:15

Job's prosperity returned. He was blessed with sons and daughters and even gave his daughters an inheritance. He had twice as many animals, no sores, and lived another 140 years, seeing to his fourth generation.

"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."

Matthew 3:11-12

As John the Baptist declared, Jesus Christ will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor. You want to be having Holy Ghost fire and not hell's ever-burning fire. Jesus saves! The wrongdoing is with us, so repent.