Enduring ...

In Job 11 and 12, he is having a conversation with a man named, Zophar, who says:

"If you direct your heart rightly, you will stretch out your hands toward him" (11:13).

Zophar is implying to the suffering Job that evidently he is not stretching his hands out to God and the result is Job's continued ailments. Isn't that what we hear all the time? That is we would do the right things, have the right attitude, have the right emotions, the correct thoughts that everything will be OK? If that is really true, then what do you say to the parents of a seven year old who was kidnapped and murdered in Florida? OK, Zophar, what do you say about that?!

Job admits to Zophar,

"With God are wisdom and strength, he has counsel and understanding. If he tears down, no one can rebuild; if he shuts someone in, no one can open up. If he withholds the waters, they dry up; if he sends them out, they overwhelm the land. With him are strength and wisdom..." (12:13-16a).

Job admits this, but still his suffering does not make sense to him. I am sure Job is asking his neighbors, "So why, on earth or in heaven, does it make any sense to you?"

We humans want to explain everything. At times that is good when discoveries are made that heals and brings good. But there are moments when it is not time for explanations but for just enduring. And, for now, all Job is getting is a bit, a bit, of endurance.