“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger came to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys were grazing nearby, 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!” 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!” 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!” 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, 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!” At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship.” (Job 1:13-20 NIV)
We have all had one of those days where we experienced a sequence of things going awry, amiss, or where our plans arduously made have been interrupted, thus had to be abandoned. In the ultimate sense, we have all had one of those days, days where it is one thing after another piece of untimely bad news follows bad news or unwanted situations seem like the theme for the day. Job, as you can ascertain from the passage above experienced one of those “one thing after another” days, and we are blessed with a couple of lessons to take with us today. Yes, you have to stay God-conscious and elevate your “game” even on Saturdays.
Before I share the lessons, let me share my “one thing after another” experience that happened this week. I go to pick up some carry-out food at a restaurant about five miles from my house. First I have to pull out a heavy dose of patience for drivers that don’t understand how round-abouts work. Next, the lane I am traveling in, it ends with no advance notice due to construction. Thank God that my patience supply was not on empty For my experience was not over yet. I pull up and park outside the restaurant. I walk to the door and the “Drive-Thru Only” sign is on, shining so bright it could damage your eyesight for a minute. Without an option, seemingly, I get back in my car and go to the drive thru. I learned later that somebody had forgot to turn off the “Drive Thru Only” sign that is used after a certain hour of the night. Let me continue. I go to the speaker to place my order. No one acknowledges that I am there. A little more patience has to be pulled from my patience reservoir. Tired of waiting, I drive to the window. The associate finally comes to give me an order, but I had to inform him that nobody had taken my order yet. He was kind and took my order, and he asked me to pull over to a parking spot. He would bring it “right out.” The meaning of “right out” is in the mind of the speaker, not the listener. After a longer than expected wait, the associate brings my order to the car. Well, I should say, “an order,” because again, after checking the order, it was, of course, the wrong order. I get out of my car and go back in since the “Drive Thru Only” sign had been turned off and I return the bag with the wrong order. I wait for the correct order. My patience supply was almost deleted. It was at the point where it soon would need replenishing. Finally, I get what I originally came to purchase.
My experience was far from what Job went through and is probably not even close to what you have been through or will go through on one of those “One Thing After Another” days. Yet the two main lessons I pulled from today’s opening passage apply to all of us, regardless of where our unwanted and unexpected experiences fall on the scale ranging from minor to major. Here are the lessons. (1) Know that no matter who you are, no matter how righteous you act, and no matter how much you have it going on, you are not exempt from those “One Thing After Another” days. (2) Stay God-conscious! That God-consciousness will lead to godly behavior, including the important act of trusting God that everything will work out. For you are one who loves the Lord, and you are one who is called for His purpose. Turn to God and do not turn away from Him! You might have questions, but If you read on in The Book of Job, you will find out that God has the answers. Have a wonderful Saturday, and even if it is one of those “One Thing After Another” days, you will be able to handle it better. God will see you through! And note, He is not through blessing you. Need proof? See the closing excerpt below! Last thing, a reminder! Don’t forget worship service tomorrow! Be blessed!
“The Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning…” (Job 42:12a NASB)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King