Job and James and Simon Peter

It’s possible to be touched surprisingly when needed, when least expected, happens now and then. One of my favorite emails is a daily meditation that the author “HMM” calls “Days of Praise” from the Institute for Creation Research. The author’s biblical views and mine seldom merge, but that is irrelevant, because he is bright, a scholar of Hebrew and Greek, everything he writes is scriptural, and he writes well. Sometimes he hits me right in the gut, says just what I needed to hear.

From Job 13 and James 5, this morning’s meditation is “Absolute Trust.” In anguish, Job says, "Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him ... . He also shall be my salvation ... .” And the writer of the letter of James reminds us of "the patience of Job," probably the greatest example of all "the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience." This morning, HMM concludes, “We can, like Job, know that He who created us deserves absolute trust.”

Yes, we can. We can know that, we can indeed. Not to be cryptic, and my health is good, no worries. But not everyone we know and love and pray for is well as we head toward Christmas; and some beloved friends with whom I spent last evening will understand that this morning I needed to hear from Job and James and HMM and be reminded, comforted, assured. And trust. After all, as Simon Peter said to Jesus (John 6:68), "Lord, to whom else would we go? You have the words of eternal life."

Are there others? Others who are hurting and worried and need Job and James and Simon Peter this morning? Surely.

The Lord + bless thee and keep thee.

The Lord make his face to shine upon thee

and be gracious unto thee.

The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon thee 

and give thee Peace.

Sabbath. Shalom.

TW+