I don’t know how many of you are like me, but when I hear a song, I rarely hear the lyrics first. My mind listens to the melody, to the beat, to the flow of the music, and that’s usually what I like first about a song.

And yet, despite the importance of melody, beat, and flow, the lyrics of a song often contain its deepest meaning. Songs can often be the way that God speaks to me, reframing truths and emotions in ways I haven’t experienced yet.

A couple of songs that have meant a lot to me in my exploration of the human experience are Where Were You by Ghost Ship and El Shaddai by Dogwood and Holly. They both interface with the story of Job and the common human experience of wondering why God does something. I encourage you to listen to those songs and to read the book of Job anew, but before you do, here are some thoughts that I have had.

The story of Job is one of my favorite stories in the Bible because it is relatable, very human, and very hard. Job endured unimaginable tragedy. He lost almost everything that he had and loved in life, and he had no idea why. I find Job’s character fascinating because of his response. When Job had lost his property and his children had died, the Bible says:

Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.”
Job 1:20-21

And later, after Job was afflicted with sores from head to foot, he told his wife:

Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?
Job 2:10b

What an incredible expression of faith we see from Job. He knows that God is righteous, holy, and in control. And yet, the next thirty-five chapters are full of Job’s questions and his arguments with his friends. Job knew that God had allowed suffering to come upon him. He knew that God is good. And yet, as is natural for us sinful, limited creatures, he questioned. He wanted to know why God would allow such suffering to befall him. He wanted answers just like we do when tragedy strikes and when we don’t understand God’s workings.

We cannot understand for ourselves the ways of God, His Will, nor His Plan (Romans 11:33-35). So, when things happen that aren’t our way, aren’t in accordance with our understanding of God’s loving kindness and His goodness, it is easy to question. It is natural to question. Why God? Where were you when this happened? Why didn’t you stop it? Why didn’t you change it? Why did you allow it? I have asked these questions countless times since my dad died 12 years ago. And I have received the same answer as Job did.

God Himself chose to speak to Job. He spoke for almost four chapters. The Lord spoke of creation, of the stars, of the sea and the land, of the wild animals, and the unpredictable weather. And in all those four chapters, He never answered Job’s questions. Instead, He told Job to trust. To trust that the God who set the stars in place, who knows the way of the weather, the deepest parts of the sea, who watches over the wild animals and knows the hearts of men, that God can be trusted. He can be trusted with our futures, our questions, and we can believe that His plan is good even if we cannot see it.

It is hard for me to accept that God won’t give me the answers I want; that I just have to trust and obey. But who better to trust, who better to follow in obedience and hope, than the God who died for me? I hope that you will reflect today on His will and on His plan. Consider what you trust Him with and what you need to place in His steady hands. I pray that you can agree with Job, that God is worthy of trust. Let us reflect on Job’s final words in humility and wonder:

Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
‘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.
‘Hear, and I will speak;
I will question you, and you make it known to me.’
I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear,
but now my eye sees you;
therefore I despise myself,
and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job 42:1-6

God’s Comfort and Love be with you all, 
Noah