August 21

The Clue To Life's Maze

There was a man whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil....Satan said, Doth Job fear God for nought? — John 1:1-9

This marvellous poem, one of the profoundest studies in the Bible, deals with the great problem of evil. At some time or other in our lives, we come back to study it, as a clue to life’s maze, the expression of our heart’s out-cry, and the solution of life’s mystery in the Will and Love of God.

From first to last, the supreme questions in this wonderful piece of literature are: “Can God make man love Him for Himself alone and apart from His gifts?” and “Why is Evil permitted, and what part does it play in the nurture of the soul of man?” These questions are always with us. In fact, the Book of Job may be said to be a compendium of the existence and history of our race.

The first chapter teems with helpful lessons. The anxiety of parents for their children should expend itself in ceaseless intercession on their behalf. The great Adversary of souls is always on the watch, considering our conduct so as to accuse us before God, not only for overt sins, but for unworthy motives. We cannot forget our Lord’s words to Peter: “Satan asked to have you, but I made supplication for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luk 22:31, R.V.). Christ never underestimated the power of Satan, the “prince of this world,” but He is our great Intercessor (Heb 4:14-16; Heb 7:25).

In circumstances of prosperity and happiness, we must never forget that it is God who plants a hedge about us, blesses our work and increases our substance. It is good to realize that whatever be the malignity of our foes, there is always the Divine restraint, and we are not tempted beyond what we are able to bear. It is not enough to endure our griefs sullenly or stoically. It should be our aim not only to hold fast to our integrity, but to trust God. There is a clue to the mystery of human life, which comes to the man who differentiates between the Real and the Unreal; the Seen and the Unseen.

Prayer

My flesh and my heart faileth: but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion for ever. Amen.