I’ve just realised this is my first post this year and we’re nearly two weeks in……

Anyway, I’m back reading the Bible chronologically but this time using the Message version as my primary translation and I’m really enjoying the opportunity to read a book that I’ve read for so many years in a different way. For the past week or so I’ve been in the oldest book of the Bible, Job, and I am in the middle of reading through a section where Job’s friends are giving advice as they surround him in the midst of his suffering.

If you’ve never read this book before I’d encourage you to wear a crash helmet as you read – it’s a bumpy ride! I’m so sorry I haven’t taken the time in this post to give you a full review of the story up to this point.

One of Job’s friends, Eliphaz, has a go at him for complaining to God regarding the situation he finds himself in and then begins to talk to him about how wicked and ruthless men live. The Message translation doesn’t use those words specifically, instead it translates them as “those who live by their own rules, not Gods” which I really like. The interesting part that I have never noticed before is that Eliphaz goes on to describe the effects that going against God has on these wicked people’s lives. Rather than talking about how their circumstances and possessions are affected he focuses on what it does to their mind and soul, how it causes them to live in defence and fear. You can read his exact words here;

Those who live by their own rules, not God’s, can expect nothing but trouble, and the longer they live, the worse it gets. Every little sound terrifies them. Just when they think they have it made, disaster strikes. They despair of things ever getting better—they’re on the list of people for whom things always turn out for the worst. They wander here and there, never knowing where the next meal is coming from—every day is doomsday! They live in constant terror, always with their backs up against the wall because they insist on shaking their fists at God, defying God Almighty to his face, always and ever at odds with God, always on the defensive. Job 15:23-26 (MSG)

Whilst I’ve not thought about this a lot I realise how true it is. Do you know I’m not sure I’ve ever met someone who is consciously opposing God who looked happy and/or non-defensive. You might not be a follower of Jesus and feel that you are happy, I’m not disputing that, but what I mean if you are actively opposing God I agree with Eliphaz’s description. In my experience those who are actively against God, and even some who weren’t as active, were often super defensive about their position. While they might have seemed sure about their stance they never looked totally comfortable and as I read these words from the book of Job I wonder if that is why.

It’s worth mentioning from a fairness point of view that I seen many people who are following Jesus, usually the louder and more aggressive types, not look super comfortable with their stance either.

It makes sense to me. The only reason I have any form of security or peace in my life is God and the arc of His Kingdom story over the world. Yes, I love my family, my friends, I love that I have some material security but the reality is all that could be wiped out in an instant – I’m not trying to scare anyone here and I’m expecting anything bad to happen but I realise that it could. As I watch the world around me and see earthquakes, fires, floods, terrorist attacks etc. I realise how fragile this earthly ‘stuff’ is. If I was to build all my security on these things I imagine I would feel pretty on edge and defensive when I watched the news or heard of another disaster. Walking around with the fear of losing something that is too precious to us is not a fun feeling. I can only think of times where someone has given me a large sum of money to lodge in the bank for them. Even though anyone who sees me would have no clue what I’m carrying, my own fear of losing what is so precious and important makes me look at them differently. Every sound makes me jump, I am on edge.

Perhaps we have a world which is so anxious because we have become a people who have too detached from God and have become too attached to the world.

I’m on an analogy roll here but it’s like deciding while abseiling down a steep cliff to choose to move your rope ties from being secured to a solid rock that will not shift to a wooden pole you shimmied into the ground. How would that affect your confidence, mood and responses as you lean over the steep cliff and peer down into the space below? I find it hard enough to do that when I’m attached to the rock so I’d be a mess in the other scenario!!!!

Maybe you’re reading this and you are someone who would describe yourself as an active opposer of God. Perhaps you would disagree with me strongly. I’m OK with that and I wish you all the luck in the world. I just know I couldn’t do this life without God as my rock; He isn’t a crutch to me, He’s my wheelchair, oxygen tank, crash helmet and life support team!