Short and sweet thought for the week…
Job could be the poster boy for having a really bad day. Within a day, he has more trials to deal with than most get in a lifetime. His oxen and donkeys are stolen by the Sabeans. His sheep are consumed by fire. The Chaldeans raid his camels and take them away. All his sons and daughters are killed while together at his oldest son’s house when a great wind collapses the structure on them.
We’ve all had some bad days in our lives, but probably nothing compared to this. We’ve all had those times when grave disappointments seem to multiply. We think things can’t get worse, but they do. How did Job feel when all this happened to him?
Of course, he was devastated. He tore his robe. He shaved his head. Then “he fell to the ground and worshipped” (Job 1;20). His first response and reaction after his initial shock and loss was to worship God. He had no idea why all these things were occurring, but he did know that God has power, wisdom, and authority over everything, and that God is good. In spite of his circumstances, he knew God was with him and worthy of his praise.
When trials are heavy and we feel like our lives are falling apart, it goes against our human nature to worship. We feel more like accusing God than praising Him. Yet Job said, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).
Praising God during tough times is challenging, because we don’t feel like worshipping. We don’t feel like doing much of anything except feeling sorry for ourselves, which is understandable. However, the Bible instructs us to praise the Lord at all times (Psalm 113:3). During good times and bad, God is still our Creator, Sustainer, and Redeemer. God is greater than all our problems. Worshipping God acknowledges that we believe Him. We trust Him. We proclaim Him as Lord over all, especially our lives.
Even if we don’t feel like worshipping, it is wise to do it anyway. Every act of worship is a decision we make to shift our focus from ourselves and our problems to God’s greatness. Actually, there is no better way to find peace when we are dealing with those really bad days!
“I will bless the Lord at all times…”~Psalm 34:1
