A Reading from Job 42:1-3, 5-6, 12-17
Job answered the LORD and said:
I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered. I have dealt with great things that I do not understand; things too wonderful for me, which I cannot know. I had heard of you by word of mouth, but now my eye has seen you. Therefore I disown what I have said, and repent in dust and ashes.
Thus the LORD blessed the latter days of Job more than his earlier ones. For he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen, and a thousand she-asses. And he had seven sons and three daughters, of whom he called the first Jemimah, the second Keziah, and the third Kerenhappuch. In all the land no other women were as beautiful as the daughters of Job; and their father gave them an inheritance along with their brothers.
After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; and he saw his children, his grandchildren, and even his great-grandchildren. Then Job died, old and full of years.
REFLECTION: “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.”
The year 2020 will be remembered for many mishaps, disasters, and heartaches. The separation of families, closing of churches and loss of jobs due to threat of Covid-19 have been met with death, depression, and natural disasters such as devastating fires and hurricanes obliterating cities. And yet, Christians “know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be hindered.”
Recently, I had a mishap driving past a construction zone while following an eighteen-wheeler. This massive truck suddenly braked so hard, that I saw blue smoke coming from his tires. As my car came to almost a complete stop on the interstate, a crushed orange construction barrel came out from under him and straight to the front of my car. I immediately pulled to the side of the road with the barrel stuck under my car. I did the only thing I could think of, I backed up and the barrel popped out freeing me from dragging it for miles. Thanks be to God.
Whatever challenges we are facing, we must always keep the Lord with us. He took care of me as my two-hour trip was traveled for the sole purpose of caring for my family. In the midst of the incident, God gave me a dose of humility in driving and a sense of his protection from this world.
The next time we run into an un-suspected obstacle, we should stop to pray for God’s guidance for “great things that I do not understand”. Maybe he will have us back up and work ourselves around the obstacle in order for us to move forward. I believe, one day we will look back at this year and see the hand of God guiding us through the joys, pains and sorrow for his greater purpose.
In the end, we will see the blessings God has given us.
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