Fragile Existence

We should not trust in ourselves but in God. – 2 Corinthians 1:9


The geological features at Yellowstone National Park fascinate me. But when I walk among the geysers, I’m aware of how close I am to danger. I am walking atop one of the largest, most active volcanoes in the world.

When I read the book of Job, I feel as if I’m walking through Yellowstone on a day when the volcano erupts, exploding the earth’s fragile crust and bringing disaster.

Like tourist at Yellowstone, Job was enjoying life. He was unaware that only a hedge separate him form disaster (Job 1:9-10). When God removed that hedge and allowed Satan to test Job, his life exploded (w. 13-19).

Many believers live in circumstances where it seems as if God, for some reason, has removed His hedge of protection. Others, also for reasons unknown, live in relative calm, seemingly unaware of their fragile existence. Like Job’s friends, they assume that nothing bad will happen unless they do something to deserve it.

As we learn from Job, however, God sometimes allows bad things to happen to good people. Although disaster can strike at any moment, nothing has the power to destroy those who trust Christ (2 Cor. 4-9). No disaster can separate us from God’s love. – Julie Ackerman Link


Though darker, rougher, grows the way
And cares press harder day by day,
With patience in His love I’ll rest,
And whisper that He knoweth best. – Pentecost

God’s love still stands when all else has fallen.

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Job 1:8-22

Yahweh said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant, Job? For there is none like him in earth, a blameless and an upright man, one who fears God, and turns away from evil.”

Then Satan answered Yahweh, and said, “Does Job fear God for nothing? Haven’t you made a hedge around him, and around his house, and around all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is inceased in the land. But put forth you hand now, and touch all that he has, and he will renounce you to your face.” Yahweh said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in you power. Only on himself don’t put forth your hand.”

So Satan went from the presence of Yahweh. It fell on a day when his sons and his daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, that there came a messenger to Job, and said, “The oxen were plowing, and the donkeys feeding beside the,, and the Sabeans attacked, and took them away. Yes, they have killed the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, there also came another, and said, “The fire of God has fallen from the sky, and has burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, “The Chaldeans made three bands, and swept down on the camels, and have taken them away, yes, and killed the servants with the edge of the sword; and I alone have escaped to tell you.”

While he was still speaking, there came also another, and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their eldest brother’s house, and, behold, there came a great wind from the wilderness, and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young men, and they are dead. I alone have escaped to tell you.”

Then Job arose, and tore his robe, and shaved his head, and fell down on the ground, and worshiped. He said, “Naked came out of my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return there. Yahweh gave, and Yahweh has taken away. Blessed be the name of Yahweh.” In all this, Job did not sin, nor charge God with wrongdoing.

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