Blessed Is the One Whom God Corrects // Job 3-5

Hello friends,

So back in January, I shared a little bit about Job 1-2. Now if you haven't read that post, you totally should, but for a little recap, I discussed my fondness for pity parties and how reading Job was like a slap of conviction in my face. You see, Satan sees that Job is so pious, but tells the Lord that he is only that way because of how blessed he is. He bets that Job would indeed curse God's name if he has hardships, so God allows for Satan to do what he wants with Job. Job in turn looses his crops, servants, livestock, and family. Basically, he looses everything.

Yet Job still does not curse God, instead he falls to his knees in praise.

Fast forward to Job 3, where Job has been sitting in silence for seven days, his friends not daring to say a word to him, and finally he speaks.

"I have no peace, no quietness.
     I have not rest, only turmoil."

-Job 3:26

Job sits there and curses the day he was born, curses that fact that God sparred him after he was born, and then goes on to curse that fact he is still alive even in such turmoil. Yet, he still does not curse the name of God.

I mean, look, we've all been there. Sometimes it seems like everything would have turned out better if we hadn't lived, if we had not been allowed to set foot on this earth. After all, that would have sparred us the pain, right? But no, Job is wrong to say such things. For who are we to question God and His mercy?

Now one of Job's friends comes up to him and basically tells him he's being hypocrite.

"But now troubles comes to you, and you are discouraged.
    it strikes you, and you are dismayed,
Should not your piety be your confidence
    and your blameless ways your hope?

-Job 4: 5-6

Job's friends reprove him, reminding him that only the wicked question God's ways. Instead of focusing on our afflictions, our eyes should be on God. Instead of questioning His ways, we should be in awe of His righteousness.

Guys, we could all use friends like this. Friends who call us on our mistakes, even when doing so is uncomfortable. Friends who speak the word of truth when we seek advice (or when we aren't seeking it and need it anyway).

Finally, they go on to say that ultimately, God should be regarded in all afflictions. Trials do not come by chance, but God uses them to shape us. Instead of of quarreling with Him and questioning Him, we are take cover in His arms and trust in His goodness.

"Blessed is the one whom God corrects;
     so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.
For he wounds, but he also binds up;
     he injures, but his hands also heal."

-Job 5:17-18

Blessed is the one whom God corrects. Wow, can we just take a moment to think about that? Honestly, that is so hard to comprehend. Something bad happens in your life, and right away you think "what did I do wrong?" But the Lord says that we are blessed when we receive correction from Him. Nor does he inflect discipline and leave us to bleed out, but he heals our wounds and comforts our soul.

So how about you, what's your response when hardships come your way? Do you curse the Lord? Do you question His goodness? Or do you seek to find correction in hardships and take comfort in the Lord? Let us learn together from Job that in everything, God is there and we are never alone. Instead of cursing what has wronged us, may we look to God with trust and love and rely on Him to guide us through whatever we may face.

With much love,

Elizabeth