A Gift for the Suffering; Job 5-6, Proverbs 3

May the mumbling commence!

How do we react to adversity in our lives?  It is an important question.  Does it draw us closer to God and the church?  Does adversity drive us apart?  Sometimes, adversity threatens to do both but only tears us apart.  We feel isolated.

But, what if adversity is the chastening or correction of God?  Wisdom Literature in the Hebrew Bible is pretty consistent on this issue.  Read a passage from Job chapter five and Proverbs chapter three:

“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects;

Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. 

For He bruises, but He binds up;

He wounds, but His hands make whole. 

He shall deliver you in six troubles,

Yes, in seven no evil shall touch you.” (5:17-19)

My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor detest His correction; 

For whom the Lord loves He corrects,

Just as a father the son in whom he delights. (3:11-12)

Welcome to God’s surgery of correction and chastening!  God bruises and wounds, but God also binds up and makes whole.  Anyone who has gone under the surgeon’s scalpel knows the truth of these words.  There is nothing like waking from surgery to feel the pain of being wounded for the cause of healing and making the body whole again.

If only we could be sure that adversity is the Lord’s correction or chastening!  That is difficult to discern in the pain of the moment.  What gift of love can we give a fellow sufferer?  Job gives us a clue in chapter six:

"To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend,

Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty. (Verse 14)

Be kind.  Display your kindness.  Share what you have in the moment.  Do not worry about what you cannot offer.  Embrace what you can offer.  It is the height of wisdom.  God will provide the rest of the needs.  Read from Proverbs chapter three:

Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so. 

Do not say to your neighbor,

"Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,"

When you have it with you. (Verses 27-28)

Good intentions do nothing for vulnerable and needy people.  Nice thoughts die without action.  Kindness not given concretely is no kindness at all.

Withholding our resources from other people does damage to everyone – including us.  Let us share our kindnesses so that together we can discover what it means to truly fear and revere the Lord of all creation.

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out