A Really Bad Day

Posted On February 5, 2023

“There once was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz.
He was blameless—a man of complete integrity.
He feared God and stayed away from evil.” 

Job 1:1 NLT

“One day as the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, Satan, the Accuser, came with them.”

Job 1:6 TLB

Have you ever had a really bad day? A day when one thing after another went wrong until you were convinced that the entire universe was conspiring against you? A day when you felt abandoned by God, or worse, you felt targeted by Him for pain and suffering? I have — maybe not quite to that extent, but I’ve had days when I’ve wondered why God was letting me deal with pain and hardship. Maybe you have too. If so, we can learn a lot from a man named Job.

Our plan for 2023 is to journey through The NeverEnding Story of the Bible and discover how we fit into it along the way. Our plan for this year is loosely based on The Story, an abridged chronological version of the Bible, and the accompanying study guide The Heart of the Story by Randy Frazee.

Here is where we left off in The Story:

MOVEMENT TWO: The Story of Israel (Genesis 12-Malachi)

Chapter 3 – Joseph: From Slave to Deputy Pharaoh

Last week we looked at the life of Joseph. The book of Genesis ends with the story of his death at age 110. Before we continue with the story of Israel, however, I want to stop and take a look at the book of Job. The Story doesn’t include this book, but I think it’s definitely worth mentioning before we get too much further.

The Chronological Life Application Study Bible places the book of Job right after Genesis and introduces it this way: “Job doesn’t seem to be a member of God’s chosen family line, but he is portrayed as a man who knew the true God and worshiped Him. He probably lived around the same time as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob because of the way his life is described, but certainty isn’t possible.”

In Job 1:6-12 we read that Satan comes before the Lord and explains that he’s been roaming the earth. When the Lord asks Satan if he’s noticed Job, a God-fearing man who stays away from evil, Satan replies that Job’s prosperous life has given him good reason to fear God. Satan presents the Lord with a challenge: Take away everything Job has and he will surely curse God! The Lord agrees to allow Satan to test Job. He is not allowed to kill him, but he is granted permission to take away Job’s wealth, his children, and finally his health.

“After God initiates the conversation about Job with one of His enemies, the enemy concocts a plan to test Job, and God allows it. There’s something noteworthy here: God doesn’t create the plan for testing Job, but God allows it. He isn’t the active agent in the evil perpetrated by Satan, but He’s still sovereign over it. And in His mercy, He limits it. Satan is on a leash.”

Tara-Leigh Cobble, The Bible Recap

“Job was a model of trust in and obedience to God, yet God permitted Satan to attack him in an especially harsh manner. Although God loves us, believing and obeying him do not shelter us from life’s calamities.”

Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Here is the story of Job’s really bad day:

“One day when Job’s sons and daughters were feasting at the oldest brother’s house, a messenger arrived at Job’s home with this news: ‘Your oxen were plowing, with the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided us. They stole all the animals and killed all the farmhands. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.’

While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: ‘The fire of God has fallen from heaven and burned up your sheep and all the shepherds. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.’

While he was still speaking, a third messenger arrived with this news: ‘Three bands of Chaldean raiders have stolen your camels and killed your servants. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.’

While he was still speaking, another messenger arrived with this news: ‘Your sons and daughters were feasting in their oldest brother’s home. Suddenly, a powerful wind swept in from the wilderness and hit the house on all sides. The house collapsed, and all your children are dead. I am the only one who escaped to tell you.'”

Job 1:13-19 NLT

In the span of a few minutes, Job lost his oxen, his donkeys, his farmhands, his sheep, his shepherds, his camels, his servants, and all of his children. The devastating news of his intense loss must have been shocking and overwhelming. I can’t even imagine trying to process this much grief. No one would have blamed Job for being angry with God. But instead, in the midst of his suffering, he fell to the ground and worshiped.

“Job stood up and tore his robe in grief. Then he shaved his head and fell to the ground to worship.  He said,
 
‘I came naked from my mother’s womb,
    and I will be naked when I leave.
The Lord gave me what I had,
    and the Lord has taken it away.
Praise the name of the Lord!’

In all of this, Job did not sin by blaming God.”

Job 1:20-22 NLT

That was an awful day, but Job did not give up his faith. So we can take comfort in the fact that he passed the test. And he can take comfort in the fact that nothing else bad can happen… Right?

Not exactly. Here’s what happened next:

“On another day the angels came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan also came with them to present himself before him…. 

Then the Lord said to Satan, ‘Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.’

‘Skin for skin!’ Satan replied. ‘A man will give all he has for his own life.  But now stretch out your hand and strike his flesh and bones, and he will surely curse you to your face.’

The Lord said to Satan, ‘Very well, then, he is in your hands; but you must spare his life.’

So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the crown of his head.” 

Job 2:1,3-7 NIV

After all the suffering he had just experienced, Job had to endure yet another really bad day. At this point, I’m not sure my faith could have survived. I mean, come on! Isn’t enough enough? As Job sat among ashes, scraping his sores with a broken piece of pottery, his own wife urged him to “Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9 NIV).

Still, Job would not give up on God. Here is his response:

“Job replied, ‘Don’t talk like a fool! If we accept blessings from God, we must accept trouble as well.’ In all that happened, Job never once said anything against God.”

Job 2:10 CEV

As I read these verses, I am humbled to admit that Job’s words to his wife seem to be directed at me, too: “Don’t talk like a fool!” If we are willing to accept blessings from God, we must be prepared to accept trouble as well. It’s irrational, irreverent, and immature to believe otherwise.

“Many people think that believing in God protects them from trouble, so when calamity comes, they question God’s goodness and justice. But the message of Job is that you should not give up on God because he allows you to have bad experiences….
God is capable of rescuing us from suffering, but he may also allow suffering to come for reasons we cannot understand. It is Satan’s strategy to get us to doubt God at exactly this moment. Here Job shows a perspective broader than seeking his own personal comfort.”

Chronological Life Application Bible

If we say we have faith in God, we may soon be given many painful opportunities to prove it. This isn’t to punish us. And it’s not to prove anything to God. Like Job, it may be to prove our faith to Satan. It may be to prove our faith to others. Or it may be — and I believe this is most often the case — to prove our faith to ourselves.

“Job is portrayed as a wealthy man of upright character who loves God. Yet God allows Satan to destroy his flocks, his possessions, his children, and his health. Job refuses to give up on God, even though he does not understand why this is happening to him. We, too, must trust God when we do not understand why we face difficulties.”

Chronological Life Application Study Bible

Job didn’t understand what was happening. More than anything, he longed for God to explain. Have you ever been there? I sure have. God, why are You doing this? Why are You letting me suffer when I’m only trying to do Your will? Why won’t You just tell me what You want from me? I’ve pestered God with questions many times, and, thankfully, He’s been patient enough to let me. But that doesn’t mean He’s always answered them.

I think sometimes not having the answers we seek is necessary to grow our faith. Job learned this lesson, too. While he never once said anything against God, he did question Him a few times. Here are some examples:

“If I have sinned, what have I done to you,
    you who see everything we do?
Why have you made me your target?
    Have I become a burden to you?”

Job 7:20 NIV

“How many wrongs and sins have I committed?
    Show me my offense and my sin.
Why do you hide your face
    and consider me your enemy?”

Job 13:23-24 NIV

“Why doesn’t the Almighty bring the wicked to judgment?
 Why must the godly wait for him in vain?”

Job 24:1 NLT

God did respond, but not in the way Job imagined He would. Instead of answering Job’s questions, God turned the tables and asked some questions of His own.

“Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
‘Who is this that questions my wisdom
    with such ignorant words?
Brace yourself like a man,
    because I have some questions for you,
    and you must answer them.
Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?
    Tell me, if you know so much.'”

Job 38:1-4 NLT

For four chapters, God challenges Job to answer questions no human could possibly answer. His point was that there are some things we simply cannot understand, so we are better off spending our energy trusting God rather than questioning Him. Job realized this almost immediately. In humble repentance, Job shut his mouth.

“Then Job replied to the Lord:
‘I know that you can do all things;
    no purpose of yours can be thwarted.
You asked, “Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge?”
    Surely I spoke of things I did not understand,
    things too wonderful for me to know.'”

Job 42:1-3 NIV

“I had only heard about you before,
    but now I have seen you with my own eyes.
I take back everything I said,
    and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”

Job 42:5-6 NLT

Job saw God with his own eyes, and he promptly took back everything he had said. The presence of God was enough for him. And the presence of God is enough for us. When we have questions and doubts, we can rest in the knowledge that God is near. He is with us and He is for us. Even when we don’t understand His plan, like Job we can trust that it is wonderful.

When it seems like everything is going wrong, and nothing I do makes a difference, I find comfort in Job’s words: “I know that you can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted” (Job 42:2 NIV). Why do I find this comforting? Well, if nothing can stop the bad things from happening according to God’s will, then nothing can stop the good things either. I can’t mess up His plan, and neither can anyone else. Rather than trying to control what’s happening around me or worrying about what may happen in the future, I can just let go and trust God. His plan, even when it’s painful, is perfect. All I have to do is trust Him and have faith.

I admit, however, sometimes that’s easier said than done…

I know that sometimes bad things happen to good people. I believe that sometimes we have to be surrounded by darkness in order to see God’s light. I understand that sometimes hardships and trials come even though we do our best to follow God, or perhaps it’s because we follow God that they come. I realize that no matter what, God is always in control and He can use everything we face in order to bring about good. I believe all of this.

Do I always live like I believe it? Sadly, no. No, I don’t. I seem to need a lot of convincing — by God, by others, even by me. The following piece is an example of this. I wrote it one day after I was giving myself a stern reminder about keeping a positive attitude. To make sure I wouldn’t forget, I decided to write myself a short note to keep in my phone. But, as often happens when I write, the Holy Spirit seemed to take over and speak to me through my own words. When I was finished, I decided this was a message He meant for me to share. So, since it seems to fit the theme of this week’s post, I decided to include it here. The next time we’re faced with a really bad day, I hope this will remind us that we always have the power to turn it into a good one…

How to Have a Good Day

“Have a good day!” We hear that all the time. And it seems we usually interpret it as well wishes for our circumstances: “I hope nothing bad happens to you today. I hope all goes well for you.” At least that’s how I’ve always thought of it.

But what if we think of it as a command instead: “Have a good day!” No matter what happens, no matter how many things may go wrong, no many how many problems arise, even if an unexpected tragedy occurs, choose to have a good day anyway.

Oof… that changes things, doesn’t it?

Is choosing to have a good day always possible, no matter the circumstances? I think that depends on our definition of a “good day.”

Do we mean a day in which nothing goes wrong? A day when we feel great physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually? A day when no one says anything unkind or annoys us or makes us feel bad for any reason?

Or do we mean a day for which we can be grateful? A day we will be able to look back on with the realization that what happened led us to exactly where we needed to be? A day we were aware of God’s presence?

Today, some bad things are going to happen. That’s just the way life is. So when they do, don’t be surprised. Be ready. Decide right now how you are going to deal with them.

Will you let them bring you down and ruin your whole day?

Or will you face them with courage and strength, knowing that God will give you the power you need to overcome your challenges?

Will you remember that God can use them to bring about something good?

Will you remember to thank Him for being with You?

And will you remember to praise Him for all the good things that happened to you today? Because I’m willing to bet the good things in your life have always outnumbered the bad.

Don’t think so? Maybe you just haven’t paid enough attention to the good things…
There’s a reason we’re told to count our blessings.

“Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18 NLT

This week’s Scripture passages remind us that we can always choose to respond in faith and have a good day, no matter what circumstances we face. How do we do this? By acknowledging that God is God and we are not, by trusting that He has a plan for good, by recognizing His provision, by choosing gratitude for His blessings, by embracing the joy of His presence, by holding on to His promises, and by looking toward the future with hope!

“So the Lord blessed Job at the end of his life more than at the beginning….
Job lived 140 years after that, living to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren too.
Then at last he died, an old, old man, after living a long, good life.”

Job 42:12,16-17 TLB

“Cling tightly to your faith through all your trials, and you, too, will be rewarded by God — if not now, then in the life to come.”

Chronological Life Application Study Bible

References:

• Chronological Life Application Study Bible, New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. 2012.
• Cobble, Tara-Leigh. The Bible Recap: A One-Year Guide to Reading and Understanding the Entire Bible. Bethany House, 2020.
• The Story: Read the Bible as One Seamless Story from Beginning to End. Rev. ed., Zondervan, 2008.

Images:

• Contrasting Landscapes featured image by Enrique from Pixabay (edited)
• Ominous Orange Clouds image by bess.hamiti@gmail.com from Pixabay
• Lightning Strike image by 0fjd125gk87 from Pixabay
• Parched Land image by Anja from Pixabay
• Whirlwind image by Chil Vera from Pixabay
• Night Sky image by bess.hamiti@gmail.com from Pixabay
• Sunrise Image by Joe from Pixabay (edited)