I Just Don't Understand!

As we grow in the Lord, we soon come to realize that there are times in life when we run into situations or circumstances that just don't seem to make a lot of sense. Even though we may cry out for understanding, no understanding comes. It's as if God has gone silent on the subject, and we are left wondering, "Why?" This was probably the case for Job, for I'm sure that he had no idea about the conversation that God had with the devil before tragedy struck his life. of course, we have the benefit today of being able to see a little bit more of the picture because of what is described in Job chapters 1 and 2, but for Job himself, he probably knew nothing of what was happening in the heavenly realms.

Let's listen in for a moment to the unfolding drama: "Then the Lord said to Satan, 'Have you considered my servant Job? (You could put your name in here) There is no one like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil'" (1:8). The devil's response was typical, for he is a thief, a murderer and a destroyer: "stretch out your hand and strike everything he has, and he will surely curse you to your face" (1:11). Well, you know the rest of the story. God allowed Satan to strike not only Job's family and possessions, but his health as well. At the end of it all, what was Job's response? "The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (1:21). The amazing thing about all of this was that Job made his good confession in the face of very little if any understanding of why such a tragedy had occurred. As Gene Edwards has written, "A great deal of life's tragedies...and joys...have their origin - and explanation - in places unseen. And for reasons never known."

Sometimes, all we can do is simply say, "Lord, I don't understand why this is happening, but You do. Therefore, I trust You, no matter what!"