God Knows “Why?”

I really appreciate being around people who love the Lord as much as I do and are willing to spend time with His word seeking answers. A week ago I wrote (and used this same graphic) while reading from Job, “When We Cry ‘Why?’” This morning I read a blog about Job written by a pastor.

About ten years ago we had an exceptionally active Youth Department. Several of the young people had dedicated their lives to our Lord, attended Bible college with the intent of serving Him and a large majority are doing so. Two of the young men are still pastors and one of the young ladies married a pastor who has written “Thoughts about Job.” I hope you’ll take time to read it, too.

I do understand why we think of Job when trouble occurs or tragedy strikes. It is good to know that, as Job, we can say:

Also now, behold, my witness is in heaven, and my record is on high.  (Job 16:19 KJV)

No matter what has happened, God has seen where we have been, where we are and what will happen next. Our record is on high – and we will be judged by that. We really don’t need friends to come along and tell us what they don’t know.

Did you notice that Job did not go to his friends? Instead, they came to him. Apparently not so much to console him as to make him confess his sins. Did you notice none of them seemed to be concerned that the same thing might happen to them?

Or, did they? We cannot know their thoughts, and the Bible does not give us insight, but our own experiences tell us that people can fear that what happens to others might happen to them. If we can place blame on specific actions – especially actions we do not take – perhaps those fears can be relieved and we’re more comfortable, right?

If a person has a terminal illness and we can say they lack faith, since our Lord said (more than once):

And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole. (Luke 17:19 KJV)

I know of no man who had more “faith” than our Lord and Savior, the Messiah Jesus – and yet Jesus said:

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:14-15 KJV)

. . .  as well as:

And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. (Matthew 26:39 KJV)

Job did not know what was going to happen, Jesus did – and prayed that it not happen, but in any case God’s will is to be done.

God does know. It is very important that we know, too, that there is a record in heaven. Take time to find out how your name is written there.

And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb's book of life. (Revelation 21:27 KJV)