Job 2:10 He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?”
In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

I noticed something for the first time just now. Job didn’t even call his wife a foolish woman, he said she was talking like one. People can say what Job did and despise the person in their hearts, which by Jesus’ definition is indeed sin, (Matthew 5:22) but these words themselves don’t specify that. Job indeed did not sin in what he said. It is obvious from reading Job that the root of his faith was trust. Several times throughout the book he makes statements along the lines of, “I don’t understand what God is doing, but I trust Him.” That is indeed the faith of Abraham, whose faith was counted to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) Much has been made of why “bad” things happen to “good” people, with at least one book by that title, but that completely ignores the sinfulness of man and the absolute holiness of God. Jesus was actually very blunt on this issue. When told of people to whom something bad had happened, he came back with another example, and then said, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” (Luke 13:1-5) We fail to understand grace because we fail to understand how much we need it. That’s why some notorious sinners have become notable saints, including Paul and Augustine, among many others. The thing is, we don’t have to wallow in the gutter in order to understand grace; the Holy Spirit will reveal it to our hearts if we will open up to Him. That’s why there have been notable saints who have not done anything that society would condemn. Mother Theresa and Billy Graham come to mind as modern examples. Even today, Billy speaks of the marvelous grace of God who would use even such a one as he to do His work. When something “bad” happens to us, we need not to say, “Why?” but rather, “Lord, what do You want to accomplish by allowing this in my life?” If we will do that, we will discover that many things we considered bad were God’s instruments for good, just as the patriarch Joseph did. (Genesis 50:20)

Well, I’ve just eliminated every excuse I ever thought I had for complaining! I must not preach to/at others and fail to receive God’s Word myself. I am increasingly aware of how gracious God has been and continues to be toward me, and that in itself is a great blessing. There is a real and continuing risk that I will feel that I have somehow earned God’s grace, when that is an absolute contradiction of terms. Grace can never be earned! I need to keep growing in obedient love in response to God’s grace, allowing His grace and love to flow through me to those around me, but never take personal credit or pride for any of it. As a pastor, I need to teach this principle by word and example, not only telling people this is how they should live, but demonstrating that it’s possible.

Father, You know better than I do that I’ve just described a lifestyle that absolutely requires the presence, power, and anointing of Your Spirit, so that’s what I ask for. As Paul said, I know that I can do this through His strength, (Philippians 4:13) but I have no hope of doing it on my own. I ask that You would use me more and more to draw people into the fellowship with You that You desire, for their salvation and Your glory. Thank You. Hallelujah!