The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed be
the name of the Lord!
Job 1: 20
The Book of Job is a dramatic treatment of the suffering of the innocent.
Job was very holy and prosperous but in one day a messenger told him
that his livestock was carried off in a raid, his servants were murdered,
a fire consumed his sheep and servants and, worst of all, his sons and
daughters had a house fall upon them from a great wind, and they were
dead. Job was then struck with severe boils all over his body and his
health deteriorated. Even when his wife and three friends advise Job to
curse God, he would not renounce God nor would he sin.
During the past two years we have been besieged with a worldwide
pandemic, a refugee crisis, unemployment, homelessness, floods, fires,
gun violence throughout the United States, and a war in the Ukraine. A
multitude of people have experienced catastrophes and feel as Job did in
dire circumstances.
Together, we must realize that during these hard times in the valley of life
we need God in our lives more than ever. Rather than renounce God, we
must be steadfast in our loyalty to Him. The ultimate test of each of us is
not in times of comfort, but in times of challenge. As we stand together
in unity, we are grateful for the scientists, doctors, nurses, police, and
firefighters who make tremendous sacrifices to heal and protect us
through these turbulent times. God has bestowed upon us unique
gifts to help each other through tribulation so we may become stronger,
wiser, and more humane to each other. This too shall pass and we will
be restored.
The joy of God is everlasting. Lord, grant me patience and strength. Amen.
Abby Kleiman, a resident at Paul’s Run.
No comments:
Post a Comment