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.
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
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, it is easy to question. It is natural to question. Why God? Where were you when this happened? 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 about creation, the stars, the sea and the land, 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, 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.
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that you can do all things,
and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
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