You're reading Job?! In January and February? That's right.
Job is an intimidating book. No book in the Bible deals with suffering and loss as directly and honestly as Job. No book challenges God as directly either. But the book isn't just a sad song, it raises many different theological questions.
In chapters 1-2, the question is, "what's the purpose of your worship?" Are you worshipping to gain God's favor and receive a reward? Or, are you worshipping because you've already received God's blessing and grace and you need to express your gratitude?
The writer of Job is clear that our faith shouldn't be about trying to "use" God to get what we want, instead it should be a journey of seeking what God wants.
This is a direct critique of the so called, "Gospel of Success" movement within Christianity. Joel Olsteen and Oral Roberts are famous voices of this perspective, proclaiming that what God wants for us is financial prosperity. Olsteen seems to suggest that if we were a good Christian like him, we could be as wealthy as he is too.
Job has no time for this. Life will include loss and struggle whether we are faithful or not. Yet even in the most overwhelming personal loss, Job affirms God's goodness. Job action of giving thanks tells us loud and clear that he has experienced God's grace. Part of the spiritual life is becoming increasingly aware of the grace we've already received. This awareness will be a source of solace, and even hope, as we live through good as well as the bad.
Pastor Todd
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