Certainly few, if any, of us have suffered or are suffering
as Job did. Nevertheless, these are difficult days for many. Trying times such
as these make it quite apparent that this life is “full of trouble.” Currently,
for most, the source of such trouble is financial. Virtually every opinion poll
that surveys Americans on national priorities reveals that U.S. citizens
overwhelmingly see the economy as the number one priority. Nothing reveals the
harshness of life quite as clearly as financial difficulties. After all, as the
Book of Job describes, when Satan was given permission to test Job, his first
strike was against Job’s financial well being.
Satan then took Job’s children from him. Is there any
heavier burden in this world than the one carried by the parent who must bury his
child? Job had to bury many. Being a “righteous man,” and having the proper
perspective on life and possessions, upon hearing of the death of his children,
Job’s prior losses almost certainly vanished from his mind. All of his other
sufferings surely paled in comparison. Yet, Job persevered. He fell down and
worshipped God, declaring, “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the
name of the Lord be praised.”
Unemployment, business failure, divorce, sickness, hunger,
poverty, pain, death—there is virtually no limit to the tribulations facing us
in this dark world. This should come as no surprise, as Scripture frequently
reveals. The Apostle John tells us that “the world around us is under control
of the evil one.” As C.S. Lewis, a veteran of World War I, put it,
“Enemy-occupied territory—that is what the world is.” Jesus Himself noted that,
“In this world (we) will have trouble.”
However, Christ also tells us, “Peace I leave with you; my
peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your
hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” In spite of what this world will
bring us, Christ tells us that we have no reason to fear or doubt. Whatever our
circumstances or situation, He will give us His peace.
Peace. Isn’t that what so many of us are searching for? As
we pursue money, relationships, good health, notoriety, retirement, and so on,
are we not really striving for that “peace… that passes all understanding”? Whatever
trials, whatever evil may come our way, don’t we really just want to know that
everything is going to be alright?
As Job and others reveal, human beings can be amazingly
resilient, able to cope with most anything—even death—as long as we have peace
about it. And there is no peace like God’s peace.
Of course, God’s peace is nothing like the hippy-liberal-Code
Pink-flower child idea of peace. God never tells us that following Him will
mean an end to all conflict and struggle in this fallen world. His peace comes
as a result of His righteousness and justice, and as with all good things, His
love.
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill
toward men!” sang the angels announcing the coming of the Christ child. Thus
God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy and righteousness, decided to invade this
“enemy-occupied” territory and make things right.
However, Jesus didn’t simply come into the world “to make
bad people good,” notes Ravi Zacharias. “He came into the world to make dead
people live.” What greater comfort, what greater peace, is there than to know
that, even if the valley of the shadow of death overcomes us, we will yet live?
“Oh death, where is thy sting? Oh grave, where is thy victory?”
What a reason for a celebration! What a time for a holiday! As
Christmas approaches, may the “Prince of Peace” give you all that you truly
need and are longing for.
Copyright 2010, Trevor Grant Thomas
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