Job 35:10
Everyone has heard of Job the tormented. Many have tried to compare their own experiences with the sufferings of Job.
We see Job, the loner, when his own friends forsook him. We know him as the diseased man, whom the Bible says, his sores were so bad that he scraped them with pieces of clay pottery.
But allow me today to introduce you to Job, the songwriter. Now, I know what you are about to say. Songs are to make merry, to dance, to sing happily.
“But pastor, we are talking about Job. What does he have to sing about? Are you telling me that God gave Job songs?” Yes, in all of it, Job wrote songs.
May I suggest to you a song that perhaps Job wrote and sung?
I walked the floor again last night
Living the last several days in despair
Not knowing now what to do
All I had cherished, was no longer there.
I’d known much prosperity and happiness
Everything was at my call
Blessed by the God of creation
And convinced I could not fall.
Then early one morning
As the sun began to rise
A messenger came with the news
There would be no more sunny skies.
For all my children had perished
Then came all my herds
Winds had blown down all my houses
And not one voice from heaven heard.
Then came the last depressing blow
That made me wanna cry
When my rock, I called my wife
Said Job, curse God and die.
Now I’m pacing this old floor again
Wondering where God is in all of this
I’d served him for many years
Was there something, I had missed?
Then a voice from heaven was heard
That made the room give light
Job, it is all but over
I give songs in the night.
Now, let’s say perhaps this did happen. I also believe I have the right chorus to conclude Job’s song.
Chorus
When you see the dark clouds lowering
Fear has gripped your soul
You don’t know where you’re going
And your spirit begins to fold.
Then you feel a voice within you
That brings heaven’s light
My child I have not left you
I give songs in the night.
Perhaps you are facing your worst fears — a doctor’s report, or a family crisis. Maybe you’ve lost your job, and afraid of losing your home. Or, you are so loaded with sin, that your guilt is unending. Maybe you too are experiencing sleepless nights, and you find yourself pacing the floor.
Grab the pad and pencil; God is about to give you a masterpiece.
Mark McGuire is pastor of Noble Church of God in LaFayette. He can be reached at (706) 764-1093 or at m7mcgui@aol.com.