Thursday, August 31st, 2017

The terrible destruction caused by Hurricane Harvey, and the countless people losing property, jobs, and even life, are reminiscent of the book of Job. Job was a good man, who had lived a life of good fortune and wealth with a large and happy family. Most importantly, he was a man of God. Satan challenged God that Job is only obedient because he had been blessed with much, so God allows Satan to take all of his blessings away, except for his life. To make matters worse, as Job is sitting upon the smoldering ashes of his home, three “friends” cajole him about his faith and try to stir up bitterness against God within him. The measure of a Godly man is his capacity to praise God when there is nothing else to praise. In the face of unimaginable suffering and in a situation the world would consider unpraiseworthy, Job praises God. He says, “As long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.” The people affected by Hurricane Harvey can relate to Job’s misfortune in a way that hopefully none of us will ever know. Today, lift up those people of Texas and Louisiana in prayer and praise God for the incredible blessings he has given us, and much the way He did for Job, will give to those affected by Hurricane Harvey.

“As long as my breath is in me, and the spirit of God is in my nostrils, my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.” – Job 27:3-4