“After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before. All his brothers and sisters and everyone who had known him before came and ate with him in his house. They comforted and consoled him over all the trouble the Lord had brought on him, and each one gave him a piece of silver and a gold ring.” Job 42:10-11
These two verses have been floating around in my processor that past few days; trying to make sense of them. When sending e-mail messages to friends still living in Haiti, I remind them that me and others are praying for them every day. I remind a few friends here in Illinois who are facing the challenge brought about by cancer, that I am keeping them in my prayers several times each day. It’s not my purpose to pray and receive a similar blessing that Job received. I pray that God will heal the cancer and protect and end the chaos in Haiti. It’s all about God, and them…not me.
I have shared with a few friends with Trinity HOPE that I am growing weary of depressing news from Haiti. And its not just one source, it is many. The news today in our fallen world is depressing. When the earthquake hit Haiti in 2010 it was at the top of the news for a week…until something worse hit a different part of this world. After church, some people have asked me, “when will somebody do something about Haiti?” It’s in God’s hands. Wait.
I am ready to read good news coming out of Haiti. I’ve been praying for that for quite a while.
Have you ever heard that every cloud has a silver lining? Every challenge has a blessing. In the Bible study of Job, I recall reading that Job cursed the day he was born, have you? He resented the fact he didn't die when he was placed on his mother's breast? He was also the one who said, "I am not at ease. I am not quiet." That is the same Job who is wonderfully blessed at the end of the book. Why? Come on, you know why. It’s Lent; G-R-A-C-E. As we wait another day to see the blessing that comes from our challenges, we know what happened on Easter morning. An empty tomb. GRACE.
Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you,
Jay