Resources/Articles
When It Rains, It Pours
Job 1.13-19 describes some of the worst things to happen to an individual. They came in clusters. Bad news followed bad news. Job is ambushed from all sides by a battalion. He was bankrupted in one day. He lost all his children to a great wind. His health was nearly gone.
It is worth considering his reaction to such disaster. If we can learn something from Job, we might get the help we need to cushion us if such were to ever happen.
Job’s first reaction to this news was worship (Job 1.20) It is odd how tragedy causes some who normally worship to cease from doing so. Is there something wrong with worship that renders it ineffective in times of trouble? Job did not think so. He arose, “rent his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped.” If there is ever a time one ought to draw close to God and worship reverently, it is in time of crisis. The more problems there are, the more help there is available (1 Peter 5.7). It is encouraging to see Christians - whether alone or in families - arrive to worship God, seeking His help to manage their lives during tough times.
Job expressed strong faith. Instead of charging God foolishly, Job said, “Jehovah gave, and Jehovah taketh away; blessed be the name of Jehovah” (Job 1.21). Job knew God best, and whatever He decided would be alright with Job. His trust was in God’s righteousness. Job believed in His love, grace, goodness, and wisdom. He did not resort to asking, “Why did God do this to me?” Job knew God allowed “taking” but understood God was also “giving.” Dealing with disaster is not handled with blame, self-pity, and hatred. People need to gird up the loins of their minds and resolve to have faith stronger than the devastation they experience.
Job also guarded himself from sin. “In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly” (Job 1.22). Satan will use a disastrous moment to break us down. If it takes one bad message after another, he will use that to his advantage. He wants our patience to wear thin. The devil would love for our spirits to break. He hopes our dedication will lose its stability. Every Christian needs to develop a conviction and decide that, regardless of the trouble, he will not yield to temptation. “I’ll be true, come what may” should be our attitude toward trials.
With every storm comes rain, wind, and floods. How well is your house (life) built? Could you endure the pressure from troubles that may possibly be poured upon you like rain? Remember, although rain may come in a downpour, so does sunshine (Job 42).
