Job 1:13–22 (NIV)
13 One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 14 a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 15 and the Sabeans attacked and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
16 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The fire of God fell from the heavens and burned up the sheep and the servants, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
17 While he was still speaking, another messenger came and said, “The Chaldeans formed three raiding parties and swept down on your camels and made off with them. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
18 While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, “Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, 19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!”
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said:
“Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing. |
As a young boy, I remember hearing the devastating news of the 9/11 attacks in America. Having family in America made it resonate with me even more. Watching the images created a sense of shock and fear that stayed with me.
Then, on 7 July 2005, London experienced its own devastating terrorist attacks. Bombs exploded on three Underground trains and a London bus, killing 52 innocent people and injuring hundreds more.
One of my aunties was late for work that morning and could potentially have been travelling on one of the affected routes had she left at her normal time.
After the attacks, there was understandably a heightened sense of alert when travelling around London. I remember getting on public transport and becoming suspicious of people or unattended bags. Sometimes I would find myself having an internal debate: I've only got a couple more stops. Should I stay on, or should I get off?
For a while, I was living with an increased awareness that trouble could come at any moment, while trying to work out whether I could somehow avoid it.
But the reality is that we cannot anticipate or avoid every trouble that may come our way.
Jesus never promised His followers a trouble-free life. In fact, He told His disciples:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)
Notice that Jesus says “you will have trouble.”
Following Christ does not make us immune from hardship. The question is not simply whether trouble will come, but how will we respond when it does?
Few people in Scripture experienced this as dramatically as Job. Try to imagine standing where Job stood. Before one messenger had even finished speaking, another arrived with more devastating news.
His livestock were taken.
His servants were killed.
His possessions were destroyed.
Then came the news no parent would ever want to hear: his children were dead.
Trouble after trouble. Loss after loss.
Yet Job's immediate response is remarkable.
He tears his robe and shaves his head. These were expressions of genuine grief. Job does not pretend everything is fine. He does not suppress his pain or put on a spiritual performance.
He grieves, and he worships.
“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
There is something powerful about worshipping God when life doesn't make sense.
This year, within the space of around a month, I experienced a series of challenges myself. A car I had recently bought was stolen from outside my home. Within weeks, I discovered I had also been the victim of fraud, with finance taken out in my name. Alongside that were challenges people were facing within church and the pastoral weight of walking with people through difficult situations.
Of course, I would never compare those experiences with the magnitude of Job's loss. But during that season, Job kept coming to my mind.
I had a choice about where I would fix my attention.I could continually rehearse everything that had gone wrong, or I could acknowledge the difficulty while continuing to declare the goodness and faithfulness of God.
I chose to praise.
Scripture teaches us that trials can produce something within us. James writes that the testing of our faith “produces perseverance” — James 1:3, while Peter describes genuine faith being refined like gold through trials (1 Peter 1:6–7).
This doesn't mean we celebrate suffering itself. Job certainly didn't. We grieve what needs to be grieved. We acknowledge what hurts. But we refuse to allow trouble to have the final word over our worship.
Praise turns our attention from the size of our trouble towards the greatness of our God.
As you fast today, whatever you are facing, remember this:
Trouble may change your circumstances, but it does not change the character of God.
Then, on 7 July 2005, London experienced its own devastating terrorist attacks. Bombs exploded on three Underground trains and a London bus, killing 52 innocent people and injuring hundreds more.
One of my aunties was late for work that morning and could potentially have been travelling on one of the affected routes had she left at her normal time.
After the attacks, there was understandably a heightened sense of alert when travelling around London. I remember getting on public transport and becoming suspicious of people or unattended bags. Sometimes I would find myself having an internal debate: I've only got a couple more stops. Should I stay on, or should I get off?
For a while, I was living with an increased awareness that trouble could come at any moment, while trying to work out whether I could somehow avoid it.
But the reality is that we cannot anticipate or avoid every trouble that may come our way.
Jesus never promised His followers a trouble-free life. In fact, He told His disciples:
“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — John 16:33 (NIV)
Notice that Jesus says “you will have trouble.”
Following Christ does not make us immune from hardship. The question is not simply whether trouble will come, but how will we respond when it does?
Few people in Scripture experienced this as dramatically as Job. Try to imagine standing where Job stood. Before one messenger had even finished speaking, another arrived with more devastating news.
His livestock were taken.
His servants were killed.
His possessions were destroyed.
Then came the news no parent would ever want to hear: his children were dead.
Trouble after trouble. Loss after loss.
Yet Job's immediate response is remarkable.
He tears his robe and shaves his head. These were expressions of genuine grief. Job does not pretend everything is fine. He does not suppress his pain or put on a spiritual performance.
He grieves, and he worships.
“The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
There is something powerful about worshipping God when life doesn't make sense.
This year, within the space of around a month, I experienced a series of challenges myself. A car I had recently bought was stolen from outside my home. Within weeks, I discovered I had also been the victim of fraud, with finance taken out in my name. Alongside that were challenges people were facing within church and the pastoral weight of walking with people through difficult situations.
Of course, I would never compare those experiences with the magnitude of Job's loss. But during that season, Job kept coming to my mind.
I had a choice about where I would fix my attention.I could continually rehearse everything that had gone wrong, or I could acknowledge the difficulty while continuing to declare the goodness and faithfulness of God.
I chose to praise.
Scripture teaches us that trials can produce something within us. James writes that the testing of our faith “produces perseverance” — James 1:3, while Peter describes genuine faith being refined like gold through trials (1 Peter 1:6–7).
This doesn't mean we celebrate suffering itself. Job certainly didn't. We grieve what needs to be grieved. We acknowledge what hurts. But we refuse to allow trouble to have the final word over our worship.
Praise turns our attention from the size of our trouble towards the greatness of our God.
As you fast today, whatever you are facing, remember this:
Trouble may change your circumstances, but it does not change the character of God.
Reflection
What trouble or challenge are you currently facing?
Rather than allowing it to consume your thoughts today, take some time to deliberately turn your attention towards God and praise Him for who He is.
What can you still thank Him for in the middle of what you are facing?
Rather than allowing it to consume your thoughts today, take some time to deliberately turn your attention towards God and praise Him for who He is.
What can you still thank Him for in the middle of what you are facing?
Prayer
Father, today I choose to praise You. I acknowledge the difficulties and challenges before me, but I refuse to allow my circumstances to determine what I believe about You. You are good when life is good, and You remain good when life is difficult. Strengthen my faith through every trial and develop perseverance within me. When I cannot understand what You are doing, help me to trust who You are. Fix my eyes upon Jesus and remind me that He has overcome the world. Whatever comes my way, may Your name continue to be praised through my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.