By Pastor Mark Quick
The ancient responsorial recited in the Catholic mass rings true, “Lift your hearts to the Lord … It is right to give him thanks and praise.” It’s not just polite to thank God. It’s in proper line with the order of the universe – regardless of the season.
Few of us have experienced the deluge of misery that flooded the life of faithful Job. He was a good man, so much so that even God declared him righteous. His faithful and God-fearing heart became the battleground of the ages. Would he, once the blessings of God were removed, curse God in times of financial, emotional and physical calamity? Would Satan’s accusation prove true, that Job only loved God because he had blessed him? Was Job only a spiritual prostitute? At the zenith of his misery, even his beloved wife declared that he ought to curse God and die! After all they had been through, I don’t blame her. Consider Job’s nimble response:
“But he said to her, ‘You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God and not accept adversity?’” [Job 2:10].
Let me restate it in my own words. When things go our way God is good, great, glorious, fantastic and marvelous! We can’t stop singing his praise. But what is in our mouths when we’re upside down? When circumstances don’t add up? When we wonder if God is even there or cares? I’ve been at this too long and I have seen too much to get with this greasy-grace, name-it-claim-it, life coach Jesus that is preached today. I’ve seen stuff that don’t add up. I’ve seen the good die young. I’ve seen the righteous in the hospital. I’ve seen the faithful do without. I agree with Solomon, Who can make straight what God has made crooked? I’ve decided I have to worship and serve God because he is God, put a period on it. Because he doesn’t always make sense to me, and I’ve come to the conclusion he’s under no obligation to consult my little opinion.
Brothers and sisters, it’s when we get upside down and shaken that we find out what’s really in us. If you haven’t been there yet – hold your bragging till later. It’s then we see if all our praising is really about who he IS rather that what’s in his HAND. Job said the Lord gives, and the Lord takes away. Are you still going to bless the Lord? If all Jesus ever did for me was to die on the cross for my sins – that’s plenty enough. He owes me nothing. I owe him everything.
