Dust and Ashes

Why do I exist? A friend lamented when faced with the onslaught of rising fuel prices, car debts, mortages, bills, bills and bills. Couple that with doomsday messages blasting over the pulpit and you've got a recipe for despair. Especially so when you've got extended family and kids.

Another friend has been losing money in his business for 5 years running. He is tired, discouraged and wondering why his trial lasted so long. By all counts, he is a good follower of Jesus. "Good" as in he actively serves in church, gives his time and finances, helps people in need, etc.


#1. As believers we are supposeda expect all these (and more!) to befall us. And rejoice.

#2. God is not as interested in the outcome of our faith, compared to the process. The key message in Job is not so much that, in the end, he regained all that he had lost in the wager between Satan and God. Job's outcome could have swung either way; he could have lost everything and that would be that. But God was gracious enough to record the "happy ending" result. IMHO,the real message in Job is encapsulated in 5 words: Repent in dust and ashes.

God never answered Job's questions. Essentially, Job never needed them to be answered. What Job needed was a revolutionary perspective of a Creator's relationship with His creation. God is God, and we are not, according to the cliche.
Sure, Job had gone as low (physically, mentally, emotionally) as he could. But did God spare him the suffering? Not until he was positioned in the 'optimal' spiritual condition - repenting in dust and ashes.

In that place, Job's focus was off his suffering, off his pain, off his circumstances. A pristine clear view of his own spiritual state dawned upon him. What a horrifying - and humbling - moment it must have been. He realised that as a creature, he was making demands on God, who owes him nothing and gave him everything.
Repent in dust and ashes.

I had no answers for my friends. I am going through hard times of my own too. Uncertainty, a forebrooding future, and a bleak prognosis. But God does not make mistakes. And He orders every single day of our lives according to His purpose. Therefore, no matter how hopeless the situation may be, we are people made for this moment.

May we be found spiritually supple before you, Lord.