May 24, 2007

Engraved in the rock forever


Among the many things that have struck me from the story of Job lately, his loyalty to God has been particularly remarkable. With God's permission, Satan took Job's wealth and his children. Sadly, Job's wife followed all of their tragedy by attempting to turn his heart away from God when she asked, "Do you still hold fast your integrity?" She then brazenly advised him to "curse God and die." What's remarkable and challenging to me is Job's response: "You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?" In all his tragedy and loss and pain and discomfort, the book records, Job did not sin with his lips. He declared his loyalty in an even stronger way in Job 13:15 when he said, "though he slay me, I will hope in him." He even longed for his confidence to be reported to everyone and "engraved in the rock forever" (Job 19:24). In an amazing passage that follows (verses 25-27), he summed up his faith: "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another."


Lord, help me to respond like Job, to remain loyal to my Redeemer. Help me not to curse God, though we've received "evil" from His hand. Help Ian to trust you despite what he's experiencing.


Ian continues to surprise visitors who haven't seen him for a while with the progress he's made. He looks like the old Ian, but he can't talk to us. He remains in a coma. He doesn't swallow well, so he drools often. He moves a lot now, stretching, pushing us away, holding our hand. He does respond slowly to requests from care workers when they make requests of him.


It looks like we're going to get evening and weekend help beginning 6/11 filling the gaps. Thank you, Lord!


Please pray that he talks to us. Thank you for your prayers.


Steve

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful post. I really want to live the way that Job did. You're in the midst of the opportunity and from all that we can see, you are imitating Job's faith and faithfulness in your response. Each post reveals a greater vision of what God is doing, and with it reveals your real life struggle with what God is doing. Over and over again, you teach us, Steve, and we're all so grateful for the grace He's given you to write these posts. They're honest and yet encouraging and challenging. They make me want to be better for my Savior. I know that you didn't ask for this, but you are becoming better and better for our Savior. There's a line in a Matt Redman song that says, "You've made me fruitful in my sufferings." I don't know of anyone that I can say that more of than you and Mary. The two of you, along with your kids, are being, incredibly fruitful in your sufferings; each in your own God ordained ways and we are benefiting more than even we can know.

Thank you,
Kristi

Anonymous said...

Steve, like Kristi I cannot thank you, Mary, the boys and Larissa enough for sharing your hearts with us. You remain my mentors in Christ. This is a war not home. Every day you remind me that Jesus won The Battle. Especially the Battle for Ian's soul! This is all so temporary. Thanks, Eileen

Anonymous said...

Praying That Ian Speaks Your Name.

Peace to You