Adversity

He delivers the afflicted by their affliction and opens their ear by adversity. (Job 36:15)

In one sense, it is cliche to say that we learn more in the hard times than in the good times. And yet, every cliche has a nugget of truth in it. I think that is one of a main points of the whole book of Job. Its not that Job was unrighteous at the beginning of the book and by the end he had learned how to be righteous. Instead we see a man who had an incomplete view of God.  And God, by His grace, allowed Job to suffer and wrestle with his suffering in order to deliver him and open his ears to hear from God.

Of course the question always arises (at least in my mind) is: why this way? Why can't we learn in the good times? Why can't we hear in times of blessing? The answer is probably more nuanced than this, but the bottom line is that we have spiritual ADD. In good times especially, we lose track of the source of our good times. We forget the purpose of the blessings we've received. We neglect the foundation that our lives and ministries are built upon. Is this universal? Praise God, it is not. But it is very common. We need only to look at Heb 2:1 to see that we all need a constant reminder of the truth of God's Word and to always keep our eyes fixed on Christ.

Maybe the strongest take away is this: whether in good times or in bad we need to keep our focused attention on Christ. As 2 Cor 1:20 reminds us, all of God's promises are Yes in Christ. So if things are going well, praise God and thank Him for all that He has graciously given you in Christ. Remember that you are the branches and that Christ is the vine and that we can do nothing without Him. And if the wheels are falling off,  lean into Christ more. Know that his yoke is easy and his burden is light. Remember that His love for those who are in Christ, is unbreakable and He has an end goal that is beyond anything we can ask or imagine.

To God Alone be the Glory