Our Sabbath School lesson this week focuses on hope. The story of Job comes forth again as an example of hope in the middle of difficulties. However, often overlooked, the end of the book of Job is quite unique, and maybe puzzling. We tend to remember only of God restoring everything that Job had, in double portion. However, before all that, God came first to Job to answer his questions; but not in the way we expect. God was thundering over Job, giving an exposition of all that He had done, His infinite wisdom and might, and challenging poor Job to match Him. Poor Job can only acknowledge, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (42: 5,6) Poor Job indeed! All these troubles, and still brought to repent? What is the point?
Our lesson gives the answer, a subtle but powerful one. We are to trust God not because we know what He is going to do, but because we know who He is. Job did not get all the answer he wanted, but He received the assurance that he was in good hands.
This reminds me of my experience, the first years after my baptism. It was the first time I tried to keep the Sabbath faithfully, and challenges came, for in the university where I studied, sometimes we faced exams on Sabbaths. I have to admit, I became worried very easily, and I still do. And this was a source of stress for me. I coped with it often by riding my motorbike alone, going up the road to the hills, meanwhile talking to God about my trouble. Back at my room I spent time on my knees and praying while thinking of all kinds of strategies to find a solution: approaching the teachers, seeking private exams, or ... ?This started to become a routine every time such a trouble came. But one time, when praying, something flashed to my mind. It's like God speaking to me: "Why are you keep on whining? Don't you believe Me? Can't you trust Me? I know what I am doing!" All my strategies felt like foolishness, all my worries looked like foolishness right there and then. God rebuked me, yet, I felt peace. My stress were gone, my worries were gone. For once, I let go, and let God.
The book of Job, is still relevant for us today: Trust Him for who He is.
Danny Handoko