Reading 1
Jb 1:6-22
One day, when the angels of God came to present themselves before the LORD,
Satan also came among them.
And the LORD said to Satan, "Whence do you come?"
Then Satan answered the LORD and said,
"From roaming the earth and patrolling it."
And the LORD said to Satan, "Have you noticed my servant Job,
and that there is no one on earth like him,
blameless and upright, fearing God and avoiding evil?"
But Satan answered the LORD and said,
"Is it for nothing that Job is God-fearing?
Have you not surrounded him and his family
and all that he has with your protection?
You have blessed the work of his hands,
and his livestock are spread over the land.
But now put forth your hand and touch anything that he has,
and surely he will blaspheme you to your face."
And the LORD said to Satan,
"Behold, all that he has is in your power;
only do not lay a hand upon his person."
So Satan went forth from the presence of the LORD.
And so one day, while his sons and his daughters
were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
a messenger came to Job and said,
"The oxen were ploughing and the asses grazing beside them,
and the Sabeans carried them off in a raid.
They put the herdsmen to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Lightning has fallen from heaven
and struck the sheep and their shepherds and consumed them;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another messenger came and said,
"The Chaldeans formed three columns,
seized the camels, carried them off,
and put those tending them to the sword,
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
While he was yet speaking, another came and said,
"Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine
in the house of their eldest brother,
when suddenly a great wind came across the desert
and smote the four corners of the house.
It fell upon the young people and they are dead;
and I alone have escaped to tell you."
Then Job began to tear his cloak and cut off his hair.
He cast himself prostrate upon the ground, and said,
"Naked I came forth from my mother's womb,
and naked shall I go back again.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
blessed be the name of the LORD!"
In all this Job did not sin,
nor did he say anything disrespectful of God.
Gospel
Lk 9:46-50
An argument arose among the disciples
about which of them was the greatest.
Jesus realized the intention of their hearts and took a child
and placed it by his side and said to them,
"Whoever receives this child in my name receives me,
and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.
For the one who is least among all of you
is the one who is the greatest."
Then John said in reply,
"Master, we saw someone casting out demons in your name
and we tried to prevent him
because he does not follow in our company."
Jesus said to him,
"Do not prevent him, for whoever is not against you is for you."
Meditation: Job 1:6-22
Have you noticed my servant Job? (Job 1:8)
As soon as the Book of Job opens, we learn two crucial facts about the main character: He is incredibly wealthy and uncommonly righteous. He is so righteous, in fact, that God even brags about him during a conversation with Satan. Job is blameless, upright, God-fearing, and sin-avoiding. Satan, of course, contends that if the Lord ceased to bless Job, he would rebel.
“Okay, go ahead and test him; but spare his life.” So God allowed Satan to take away Job’s possessions, his servants, his children, and finally, his health. Job’s life was absolutely devastated with catastrophe, but still he maintained his integrity! Nonetheless, it was a time of great confusion for Job. As any of us would, he desperately questioned providence, perhaps wondering if God had abandoned him. But as the story unfolds, we discover God was right beside him the whole time. And what was his ultimate answer to Job’s probing questions? “Trust me. I am strong and wise. Even though you can’t comprehend my ways, I am just. You’re going to have to trust me.”
Certainly one of the major themes in Job is justice. Many of us have wondered why God lets bad things happen to good people. But the book doesn’t seem to give a direct answer. Instead, it reminds us of the awesomeness of God, as if to say: “I know you have questions, but God is beside you and he is still in control. What he’s really after, what he really loves is faith.”
Make no mistake: God will always defend those who love him. While our life circumstances may range from blessed to broken, we can trust that the God of our salvation is near. He may not rescue us right away, but he will never leave our side. When we put our faith in him and exercise it through obedience, he will release powerful grace that may not change our circumstances but will definitely transform us into the likeness of Jesus. In the end, he is the “Vindicator” Job was longing for (Job 19:25).
“Lord, I surrender to your plan for my life. Help me to love you in seasons of blessing and brokenness.”
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