HAVING A BAD DAY?

Job 1:20 “At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship."

So, you are having a bad day?

Let’s put your bad day experiences in the right perspective. Imagine with me if you will, Job living in the 21st century, in our day and time. Job, a modern day business person, - his business is doing better than most, he has a lovely family. They all get along with one another. Though they sometimes have differences of opinions and sometimes disappoint one another, they know how to forgive and forget. As an independent business man , Job is respected in his field of work and is seen as a pillar in the community. Job attends church regularly and is an active participant. As a matter of fact, his ten children were active missionaries to Honduras. Get the Picture?

So let’s listen in on Job’s conversation as he relaxes on the patio after a delightful afternoon with Mrs. Job. His blackberry buzzes relentlessly, his pager goes off violently, his Nextel begins to ring non-stop and the house phone is chiming extremely loud throughout the house. I can hear Job saying to himself “Lord, don’t these people know that it’s the weekend.” Lazily Job grabs the blackberry, because it’s near by. And from that point on, Job’s life will never be the same……“Hello” ……

Blackberry Message from V.P. of Operations: John
“Our largest customer has just merged with our major competitor…. And all competing contracts have been canceled as of Monday.”

Nextel Message from V.P. of Finance: Veronica
“The bank just called and has put a freeze on all our assets…… And they’re calling in all outstanding accounts immediately.”

House Phone Message V.P. of Sales: Mark
“Our second largest customer just phoned in and canceled all future orders…… And Job, they looking to return all excess inventory.

Door Bell Rings, its Sam, the Chief of Police, Job's long time friend:
“Job, you did allow the local Missions Team to use your corporate jet to fly to Honduras….Job, I’m sorry to report but the jet crashed about an hour ago….. There are no survivors.

Job is in shock. He’s devastated and in total disbelief. But he goes to his study, falls on his knees, and begins to pray to God, the source of his strength. Repeating the Lord’s Prayer over and over, knowing that God will see him through this day. Job is having a really bad day.

You will find in studying the Book of Job that God asked the question of Satan. “Have you considered my servant Job?”

The Bible did not record Satan’s direct answer, but the answer to the question is: Yes, Satan had considered Job. His response revealed not only what he had been up to, where he had been, but also who he had been trying to deceive. In modern day vernacular it would have sounded something like this: “Look God, let’s be real… if it weren’t for your all those things you keep blessing him with, I would have had him a long time ago…”

Satan unleashed an all-out onslaught upon Job. He did so with the hope that Job’s real passion was for the things that God had given him instead of God himself. And although things got worse before they got better, Job demonstrated that, in the end, his heart was turned towards God. At the darkest moment Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. And he said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; Blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this, Job did not sin nor charge God with wrong.

Remember that God is your source of strength and when life has you backed in a corner. Remember Job and hold on.