God In The Aftermath

Satan suggested to God that Job’s faith had more to do with all the physical and material blessings he enjoyed than it had to do with a relationship with God. Just take away all the stuff, Satan said, and Job would have nothing but curses for God (Job 1:9-11). A mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the house where Job’s children were feasting, causing the house to collapse and kill his sons and daughters (Job 1:18-19).

Satan was wrong. Job’s faith was not contingent “on all the stuff.” While mourning, Job fell to the ground in worship and said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” Job never charged God with wrongdoing (Job 1:21-22).

Job’s friends debated the cause of the tragedy and wrestled with the huge “why?” colliding with their preconceived ideas of how God worked. Job remained steadfast while looking for an answer. Finally, God speaks from a storm. “Who is this that darkens my counsel with words without knowledge? Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me” (Job 38:1-3). God’s questions (“Have you comprehended the vast expanses of the earth?”) led Job to worship.

Job responded in humility, “Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. . . My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I repent in dust and ashes” (Job 42:1-6). Job received something better than an answer. He saw God. As we grapple with questions in the aftermath of destructive tornadoes again sweeping through our community, we need to see God.

Our hymns reveal God has been around a long time, long enough to see many storms. Consider just a few examples — A Mighty Fortress (1529), O Sacred Head (1601), God Moves In A Mysterious Way (1774), Holy, Holy, Holy (1826), Hallelujah, Praise Jehovah (1893), Hold to God’s Unchanging Hand (1904), Great Is Thy Faithfulness (1923), How Great Thou Art (1949), I Exalt Thee (1977), and Awesome Power (1990).

O God, Our Help in Ages Past
by Isaac Watts in 1719

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
And our eternal home!

Beneath the shadow of thy throne,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Sufficient is Thine arm alone,
And our defense is sure.

Before the hills in order stood,
Or earth received her frame,
From everlasting Thou art God,
To endless years the same.

O God, our help in ages past,
Our hope for years to come,
Be Thou our guard while life shall last,
And our eternal home!

Let’s focus on God rather than on the destruction or on our efforts in the aftermath.

— Bob Clark

5/20/2003