Does God Really Care?

Mea e 'ai e tatau ma le aso
 "Now acquaint yourself to Him, and be at peace."  (Job 22:21)

I can just imaging at this time, the grief, sorrow and mixed emotions experienced by the people of Japan.  The shock of witnessing everything in a matter of minutes washed away right before their numbing eyes.   It would not come as a surprise if some of the people may even experience extreme emotions like in the story of Job.  "Why did I not perish at birth, and die as I came from the womb?"  (Job 3:11)

Lets be honest about our grief.  Job was experiencing extreme physical pain as well as grief over the loss of his family and possessions.  He can’t be blamed for wishing he were dead.   After all, he had just lost everything he had in the world.

Job’s grief placed him at the crossroads of his faith, shattering many misconceptions about God (such as: he makes you rich, always keeps you from trouble and pain, or protects your loved ones).

Job was driven back to the basics of his faith in God.  He had only two choices: (1) he could curse God and give up, or (2) he could trust God and draw strength from him to continue.  

This true man of God set an example for us to follow.  He chose to trust God.  "Naked came I out of my mothers womb, and naked shall I return thither:  the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away."  (Job 1:21)
This demonstrated Job's true faith in his Lord.  He trusted that though he was a faithful man of God, he was afflicted for whatever reasons he did'nt understand.   But he knew and trusted that God had a better plan.

What Job did not realize is that, it was Satan who afflicted him and took away his family and possessions, and not God.  God only allowed Satan to afflict Job to prove the loyalty of His his faithful servant.

Despite the tragedy Job went through, he knew God cared.  He knew God is a personal and a loving God who also weeps for the suffering and grief, His beloved people go through.

"When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. (John 11:33)

Know this family that Jesus understands our grief firsthand.   John stresses that we have a God who cares for us.  This contrasts with the Greek concept of God that was popular in those days—a God with no emotions and no involvement with humans.

Here we see many of Jesus’ emotions—compassion, indignation, sorrow, even frustration.  He often expressed deep emotion, and we must never be afraid to reveal our true feelings to him and cry out to Him.  He understands them, for he experienced them too.

Yes, Jesus cares.  When He saw the weeping and wailing, he too wept openly (John 11:35).  Perhaps he empathized with their grief, or maybe he was troubled at their unbelief.  In either case, Jesus showed that he cares enough for us to weep with us in our sorrow and time of grief.

God is the same today as in years gone by.   Though severely tested, Job's resolve and faith was awarded with restored blessings three times more then he ever had.

It is in loving kindness that God allows the storms to beat upon us, that we may strike deeper roots in Him.  He lets the rains fall that our lives may blossom and become fragrant and fruitful.  Through all adversity His sheltering hand is over His own.  He tempers the wind and calms the storms in just the nick of time.  "Now acquaint yourself to Him, and be at peace."


Ia manuia,

failauga p. anoa'i