What Are We In It For?

Job 34: 11-12 He repays a man for what he has done; he brings upon him what his conduct deserves. It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.

Elihu and his companions felt that Job had brought his troubles upon himself. In this scripture he states his belief that God simply would not let bad things happen to righteous people. He see God as unswerving justice.

The book of Job is pretty darn interesting. There is no indication that Job was ever anything but the most righteous of men, but God did allow calamity to befall him. His friends simply weren't able to believe that Job was not responsible for his lot, despite his argument. But there were things going on in a higher plane that none of them knew anything about. God reserves the right to use each of us as He will for His purpose. It might not appear to be just in our limited comprehension so if justice is our aim, we might be in for a nasty shock. Romans 9 states that God has plans that override our actions and sense of justice. If we are to give ourselves to God and His plan we must simply trust. It's not that I think God is unjust, it's just that He sees things on such a broader scope than we can. Our view of justice hinges on the here and now, His extends into eternity. To trust Him in harsh times is a test but there are clear examples in scripture that righteous people, being obedient to Him, sometimes have brutal experiences. All of Christ's disciples, save John, died at the hands of men, just as their Lord had. It doesn't mean God forsake them, only that their deaths served His perfect plan. Are we willing to give ourselves to God even if it means that things might not get better? Will we follow Him if it makes us appear to others that we are the losers? If it means we stay poor or single? If we are to take up our cross, we must only trust and follow. Where is not guaranteed.

Lord God, Please nurture my faith so that I may trust You enough to follow where You would have me go. Amen.