Job 3-4
Job is a difficult book…and it’s hard to find application in the bits and pieces of it (rather than the whole). Knowing the end of this story, I will say that one thing I notice is that it is seemingly okay for us to pour out our complaint before God. Job cursed the day he was born – he did not try to pretend that he was not miserable. But he remained true to God in doing it. I can be honest with God. As for Job’s friend, I think that he is not entirely wrong in his assessment that God alone is righteous, but I don’t think God can ever be wrapped up in one attribute – He is holy and righteous and just, but He is also merciful, long-suffering, and love. Perhaps it is not good for us to assume we know and understand God’s hows and whys. And who is Job’s friend to judge if Job deserved what he got (which seems to be what he is saying)? Certainly not helpful to Job.
Matt. 8:1-17
Jesus heals – a good thing to remember. Just noticed a funny thing with that Centurion – he never really asked anything of Jesus, but merely stated the situation. It was Jesus who offered to “come and heal”. And somehow this centurion knew that Jesus’ power had no boundaries. Perhaps because he understood something about power. Jesus told him, “Go; let it be done for you as you have believed.” I struggle, not with believing that Jesus CAN heal, but with believing that He WILL. I will probably grapple with this one my entire life without ever figuring it out, but I must always remember that Jesus heals.