Although I was in crisis, I still had to preach Sunday. Not knowing what to do, I needed time alone. I rented a motel room for Friday night. I didn’t watch TV, or go to sleep early. Instead, I read the Book of Job. I had read the book before, but this time the seemingly interminable arguments between Job and his three friends got to me. I needed to make a decision, but all their “palaver,” as I called it, was no help. Who was right, and who was wrong? If ever different basic assumptions led to stark talking past one another, this is a classic case.
Then, Elihu’s long passages began to focus my mind on God’s majestic grandeur. When God spoke, he continued that theme. He also spoke of the life of animals, who live and die apart from people. His description of chaos monsters pointed to things only he can control. God’s speeches focused my mind on him.
“I will do what God tells me, ” I told my wife, when I arrived home. Reading the 42 chapters of the book of Job wore me down; it exposed my self-will. It focused my heart on God.
I’m a friend of Job because reading his book provided me hope to begin to resolve a personal crisis. Are you in crisis? What decision do you face? What conflict saps your energy? Do you need hope? Would you join me to become a Friend of Job?
