A few thoughts on Job and life changes...

"As for me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause, who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number: he gives rain on the earth and sends waters on the fields; he sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety. He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands achieve no success. He catches the wise in their own craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are brought to a quick end. They meet with darkness in the daytime and grope at noonday as in the night. But he saves the needy from the sword of their mouth and from the hand of the mighty. So the poor have hope, and injustice shuts her mouth. 

Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore, despise not the discipline of the Almighty. For he wounds, but he binds up; he shatters, but his hands heal. He will deliver you from six troubles; in seven no evil shall touch you. In famine he will redeem you from death, and in war from the power of the sword. You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes. At destruction and famine you shall laugh, and shall not fear the beasts of the earth. For you shall be in league with the stones of the field, and the beasts of the field shall be at peace with you. You shall know that your tent as at peace, and you shall inspect your fold and miss nothing. You shall know also that your offspring shall be many and your descendants as the grass of the earth. You shall come to your grave in ripe old age, like a sheaf gathered up in its season. Behold, this we have searched out; it is true. Hear, and know it for your good." 

~ Job 5:8-27 (ESV) ~

I have been reading through the book of Job lately in my quiet time. I am reading it very slowly I might add. Only a small section at a time. That's not how I usually read Scripture but for some reason that is the only way I can do it with Job. But anyway that is besides the point. 

The other day I read the above section (with not having reliable internet I am just now posting my thoughts even though I read the passage earlier last week) and it made me think a whole awful lot on the character of GOD. I have often thought on GOD's character. And I have often written on it. But never have I thought or written about it in the way that Job's friend (I forget which friend it is exactly) did in chapters 4 and 5. My thoughts are not nearly as eloquent or connected as those above. And as I read it I just found myself marking and highlighting line after line until the entire page was one mess of colors and notes (although that's the way most of the pages in my Bible end up). 

One of the main things I wrote is that the description of GOD's character is one that stands true through all of time, yet it is easily and quickly forgotten by all who live. Even the strongest of Christians have moments where they forget about GOD's steadfast, upright, fair, just and constant character. Job did and he was found to be one of the most upright men on earth and that's why he was put to the test. But yet GOD remains true. He remains steadfast. He remains the same. And that is a pretty comforting thought that I too often forget. 

I think the reason this touched me so much is that I am in a period of change still. I am still trying to adjust to my new life and probably for a while longer. But I have been shutting myself off and drawing into my safety net of books and solitude rather than taking a chance and stepping out on faith. I have been shutting down and even keeping GOD at bay. But yet He remains true. He remains steadfast. He remains the same. No matter what changes take place in my life. No matter what changes I have to face day after day as I figure out this new normal. No matter how scared or overwhelmed I get. He remains true. And that is so incredible to me. And the way that Job's friend talked about GOD is something that I needed at this point in time. And it is something I am sure I will return to in the days to come.