Remembering God in Times of Trouble

The Old Testament Book of Job deals mainly with the eternal question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  Practically since the beginning of time people have asked this very question:  Why do bad things happen?  I've even heard people ask "Why does God allow bad things to happen?"  Well, again, people have been asking this question for countless generations.  Thus, we are no alone.  We are in good company.

Let us look at the beginning of the Fourth Chapter of the Book of Job (Job Chapter Four, Verses 1-5) , as we read about Jobs' friends that are beginning to counsel Job:

1

"Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said,

2If we assay to commune with thee, wilt thou be grieved? but who can withhold himself from speaking?

3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.

4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

5

But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled."

In the above passage, one of Jobs' friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, is basically saying to Job:  "Look, Job, you have spoken to so many of us when we were troubled.  You counseled us . . . you gave us advice . . .  you gave us strength when we needed it."  In other words, Eliphaz is praising Job for being so strong and inspiring to so many when bad things happened to them.  But then Eliphaz continues and questions Job:

 "Job, now, that the shoe is on the other foot, in other words, now that bad times have fallen on you, why are you suddenly troubled all of a sudden?  Job, how come your faith in the Almighty was so strong when things were good and now you are questioning when things seem to hit rock-bottom?"

Eliphaz is correct.  How many of us seem to be so strong when things are going great.  How many of us is our faith life just wonderful when life is dandy . . . . when there are no problems . . .  when life is without care or concern?  But then as soon as we hit a road-block, all the sudden we begin to moan and cry and complain about how life is so difficult and hard?  Has this ever happened to you?  It sure has to me.  When something bad happens . . . . whether it be the sudden loss of a job . . . . a bad medical report from the doctor . .. . it could be the loss of a loved one . . . . when we get in a jam over something stupid we have done . . . . whatever the reason, don't we start to lament, and cry and feel sorry for ourself?  Well, that is certainly what Job did.  And this is why Eliphaz said what he did.  Because Eliphaz was not only speaking to Job, he was speaking to each one of us.  Listen, I don't have any answers as to why bad things happen to good people.  I don't even know why bad things happen to begin with.  But I have lived long enough to realize that life is not just about happiness and sunshine.  Life is a whole mixture of things:  good . . . bad . . . happiness . . .  sorrow . . .  sickness . . .  prosperity . . . . joy  . . . . weariness . . .  We could go on and on but you get the picture.  Life is filled with good and bad.  We are never guaranteed a perfect life.  In a certain sense, life is what we make it.  But in order to guarantee that we have a good life, a fulfilling life, a rewarding life is to spend our life close to God.  Some people only go to God when they get in trouble.  And when things run smoothly, they forget about God.  As people of faith, we know that sometime the road will be rocky for us.  But if we stay close to God and always keep Him close to us, those rocks will seem smoother.  None of us is guaranteed an easy life.  None of us is promised a perfect life without cares or troubles.  But for the faithful Christian who stays close to Christ, we are promised an easier life when life hits us the hardest.