The second half

“I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.“ Rom. 8:18, NIV

I Pet. 4:12-13, Job. 42:1, 5, 12

Surprise. Dismay. Grief. Disillusionment. Anger. We have all gone through some phase of these emotions, because we all have experienced at least one trial in our life. No one asks for them. No one enjoys them. And sometimes they usher in the deepest sorrow we have ever experienced. Yet, in first Peter we are reminded us that we shouldn’t be surprised at these fiery trials in our life. In this world, they are a given because we live on an active battlefield.

Job knew all about the battlefield. In one fell swoop, Job lost literally everything. His life fell apart. Satan struck at his livelihood, his reputation, his family, his closest relationships, and his very own body. That’s like a condensed version of almost every trial a person can go through on this earth. It’s hard to imagine the depth of the grief he must have been plunged in.

Faithfulness? Or falling away? Job’s dilemma and ours is the same. An apparent betrayal demands a crossroads decision. Hold on tighter or throw in the towel. There HAS to be a reason for holding on tighter, or we have just been played for fools and got the losing hand.

Job decided there was a reason. He made up his mind that from everything he knew of God, God is good. And Job got his answers and his reward for staying faithful. And we have hope through his story.

The very last chapter of Job gives us the greatest hope of all. After all the questions, the answers, the misinformation and undermining from friends, and at last God’s own awe-inspiring and humbling answers to Job – Job has the chance to reply to the only one whose words mattered:

I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.

What a power punch statement. God’s ability has at last been revealed to him by the narrative of the Creator himself. In the midst of his loss and desolation, Job now knows. It’s personal now. It’s part of his life. He’s caught of a glimpse of the Almighty perspective.  

And number two:

I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.

His own eyes. The clouds have parted and he has SEEN. No one can ever take this experience away from him. His walk with the Lord pre-tragedy was nothing like his walk will be post-tragedy. This stripping, galling cup he has been called to drink, was not drunk in vain. His eyes have been opened. He has seen the Creator and Redeemer of the universe.

I love the heading my Bible has for the last few verses of Job:

Conclusion: The Lord Blesses Job.

That is the conclusion of the matter. The Lord blesses Job. That is your conclusion of your matter, too.

Job says that the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than the beginning. There was so much more goodness yet to come! Did it ever occur to you that you are only in your first half? Dare I say only your first chapter? The Christian walk has chapter upon chapter, and God has so much yet to reveal to each one of us. Perhaps we are still in a rough patch of our chapter. This first half may have its share of earthly agony. But just maybe, God is pulling back the curtains of the universe in your own personal journey. Maybe God is trying to show you that he can do anything. Anything at all. Because he can work through anything that Satan throws our way and throw it back at him. God will have the last word. And if you hang on to him, you will finally know this without a shadow of a doubt, because you’ll know Him. Maybe God is trying to open your own eyes from hearing about and reading about to seeing with your own eyes. It all lies in your hand! What will you choose to see? What will you choose to acknowledge? What will you cultivate in this painful season?

If we persist. If we hang on. If we engage. If we keep our gaze fixed on the Creator at all costs, He can open our eyes and step into our view at last. And we will see and know.

God blesses, end of story. And in the next chapter, the next volume, you have no idea what sweet redemption awaits you. God is a redeemer! Prosperity is not the guarantee. But God’s presence is. And he has promised that whatever we go through here is not even worthy to be compared to the glory that will come after. Eternal life is on the way

Then, truly, the second half can finally begin.