An online friend of mine posted this song on Facebook a couple days ago and it totally fits our theme in Job so well.
The Reason for the World by Matthew West
There are no words in times like these
When tears don't hide the tragedies
And all you want is a reason for the world
No comfort in the greeting card
Cause God is good, But life's still hard
and your heart just wants a reason for the world
Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home
For God so loved your broken heart
He sent his son to where you are and he died
To give a reason for the world
So lift your sorrows to the one
Whose plan for you has just begun
And rests here in the hands that hold the world
Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home
Well I know you're past the point of broken
Surrounded by your fear
I know your feet are tired and weary
from the road that you walked down here
But just keep your eyes on heaven
and know that you are not alone
remember the reason for the world
No ear has heard, No eye has seen
Not even in your wildest dreams
A beauty that awaits beyond this world
When you look into the eyes of grace
and hear the voice of mercy say
Child, welcome to the reason for the world
There are no words in times like these
When tears don't hide the tragedies
And all you want is a reason for the world
No comfort in the greeting card
Cause God is good, But life's still hard
and your heart just wants a reason for the world
Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home
For God so loved your broken heart
He sent his son to where you are and he died
To give a reason for the world
So lift your sorrows to the one
Whose plan for you has just begun
And rests here in the hands that hold the world
Maybe the reason for the pain
Is so we would pray for strength
And maybe the reason for the strength
Is so that we would not lose hope
And maybe the reason for all hope
Is so that we could face the world
And the reason for the world
Is to make us long for home
Well I know you're past the point of broken
Surrounded by your fear
I know your feet are tired and weary
from the road that you walked down here
But just keep your eyes on heaven
and know that you are not alone
remember the reason for the world
No ear has heard, No eye has seen
Not even in your wildest dreams
A beauty that awaits beyond this world
When you look into the eyes of grace
and hear the voice of mercy say
Child, welcome to the reason for the world
Isn't that a beautiful song?
And that's exactly what Job clung to in the midst of his misery and lack of understanding. Before there was any teaching or widespread belief of a resurrection, Job demonstrates tremendous faith and hope when he says I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes - I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me! Job 19:25-27
I find it amazing how much the NT passages have been mirroring the OT ones so far. And yet, I bet if we were reading other books of the Bible at the same time we would find similarities between them too. An incredible example of how the Word is living and active!
In our Matthew passage, Jesus speaks about noticing every sparrow that falls and that we are much more valuable than they. And yet, once again, that doesn't mean nothing bad will ever happen to us. But God knows and He is with us during the times we fall.
On a different theme, there's a verse in here that jumps out at me...
Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34
God is also the Prince of Peace, so how does that jive?
Jesus was not talking about true peace here. Of course He came to bring peace on earth - but He did not come to bring the kind of peace that sweeps deep differences under the rug for the sake of superficial harmony. But, isn't that tempting sometimes? Sometimes, if we just keep quiet, we don't have to disturb the peace. But Jesus makes it very clear here that peace at any cost is too high a price to pay.
In fact, I don't think it would be going too far to say that if you are always at peace with everyone, either they're keeping quiet about their convictions, or you are, especially if it's a relationship with a non-believer.
Of course, we are to try to live at peace with those around us, and we're not supposed to go around purposely bringing up topics just to get a good confrontation going. But there are often times when a confrontation is exactly what is required, when the truth needs to be spoken in love, when we need to stand up for what's right.
If we are glossing over deep differences in order to experience this superficial harmony, we are going against Jesus' plan for our lives.
Notice, there's no room for personality differences here. Truth is truth no matter what your personality. This is one of those things that will be much easier for those of us who are outgoing or who enjoy a good debate. But it will be much harder for those of us who are quiet, shy and natural peacemakers at heart. (BTW, being a peacemaker is a wonderful quality in many circumstances, but this is not one of them!)
But the fact is, it doesn't matter one iota if we find it difficult or easy. Commands, principles, truth - none of these depend on personality type. None of these depend on our comfort level. Something is right because God says it's right, and something is wrong because God said it's wrong - our feelings about the matter make no difference.
May we know when to remain silent and when it's time to speak up. And may we have the courage to do so when required.
Tomorrow's passage: Job 20-21, Matthew 11
4 comments:
It's an interesting contradiction. In Matthew 5:9 we read: "Blessed are the Peacemakers for they will be called sons of God" and yet we cannot always take that role.
I like the Message version of Matthew 5:9-12 because it illustrates the fine line that we need to walk-to know when to take a step back in order to keep the relationship just by planting seeds with people and also knowing when the soil is right for the plant to take root and grow.
9"You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family.
10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.
11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.
It is really hard sometimes to know when to speak up and when to keep quiet. Also (and I know you know this), disagreement and discussion doesn't always mean confrontation or lack of peace. If only it were easier to keep our emotions under control sometimes! I remember once being absolutely horrified because I started crying in an English class upon trying to respond to a classmate about his racist remarks towards Native people. Those darn emotions can really get in the way sometimes! It's really hard to talk about something important to you with someone whose beliefs differ completely without your emotions rising to the surface.
That is true too. I am a crier and it doesn't take much to set me off. I am also a "recovering" yeller and so my disagreements and discussions, especially when they involve topics I am passionate about, do not usually end very peaceful. I need to work on this.
Very true ladies! Confrontation has a big of a negative connotation, but you can have peaceful, loving confrontations - but it is difficult, especially when our emotions get in the way!
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