21 and (Job) said: ". . .
The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away;
may the name of the Lord be praised.”
Job 1:21 (ESV)
We are ready to praise when all shines fair; but when life is overcast,
when all things seem to be against us, when we are in fear for some
cherished happiness, or in the depths of sorrow, or in the solitude of a
life which has no visible support, or in a season of sickness, and with the
shadow of death approaching,—then to praise God; then to say, This fear,
loneliness, affliction, pain, and trembling awe are as sure tokens of love,
as life, health, joy, and the gifts of home: "The Lord gave, and the Lord
hath taken away;" on either side it is He, and all is love alike; "blessed
be the name of the Lord,"—this is the true sacrifice of praise. What can
come amiss to a soul which is so in accord with God? What can make so much
as one jarring tone in all its harmony? In all the changes of this fitful
life, it ever dwells in praise.
H.E. Manning
It is one thing to say, "All things work together for the good of those. . ." and "The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" and move on with a stoic acceptance. It is quite a different level of faith to say, "This fear, loneliness, affliction, pain, and trembling awe are as sure tokens of love, as life, health, joy, and the gifts of home."
Praise for pain? Songs for suffering? Cheers for calamity?
As I read the verse for today, I realized that Job is not praising God for the affliction. He is not joyous over the fact his children have just died. In fact, Job 1:20 tells us that Job displayed great grief and agony over all the calamity. He "tore his robe (and) shaved his head". Only after this display of grief did Job "fall to the ground in worship".
To dance, sing, and rejoice in tragedy is not natural or even possible for most of us. In fact, such behavior would most likely get us a visit from the men in white coats. Jesus wept. Jesus sweat drops of blood. Jesus grieved.
Job grieved, but he also worshiped. He lamented his loss, but did not blame God. Through the calamity, his faith in God remained steadfast.
Our humanity causes us to weep. But our divinity causes us to worship. Anguish and sorrow are inevitable, but through His power we can triumph.
In much the way we should hate the sin, not the sinner. We can hate the situation, but love the Savior.
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