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good ole days

Job 29:1-25 (JDV)

Job 29:1 Job added to his discourse, and said:
Job 29:2 If only I could be as in months before, in the days when God watched over me,
Job 29:3 when his lamp shone above my head, and I walked through darkness by his light!
Job 29:4 I would be as I was in the days of my youth when God’s friendship rested on my tent,
Job 29:5 when the Almighty was still with me and my children were around me,
Job 29:6 when my feet were bathed in curds and the rock poured out streams of oil for me!
Job 29:7 When I went out to the city gate and took my seat in the town square,
Job 29:8 the young men saw me and withdrew, while older men stood to their feet.
Job 29:9 City officials stopped talking and covered their mouths with their hands.
Job 29:10 The noblemen’s voices were hushed, and their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths.
Job 29:11 When they heard me, they blessed me, and when they saw me, they spoke well of me.
Job 29:12 Because I rescued the poor who cried out for help, and the fatherless child who had no one to support him.
Job 29:13 The dying blessed me, and I made the widow’s heart rejoice.
Job 29:14 I clothed myself in righteousness, and it enveloped me; my just decisions were like a robe and a turban.
Job 29:15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
Job 29:16 I was a father to the needy, and I examined the case of the stranger.
Job 29:17 I shattered the fangs of the unfair and snatched the prey from his teeth.
Job 29:18 So I thought, “I will die in my own nest and multiply my days as the sand.
Job 29:19 My roots will have access to water, and the dew will rest on my branches all night.
Job 29:20 My whole being will be refreshed within me, and my bow will be renewed in my hand.”
Job 29:21 Men listened to me with expectation, waiting silently for my advice.
Job 29:22 After a word from me they did not speak again; my speech settled on them like dew.
Job 29:23 They waited for me as for the rain and opened their mouths as for spring showers.
Job 29:24 If I smiled at them, they couldn’t believe it; they were thrilled at the light of my countenance.
Job 29:25 I directed their course and presided as chief. I lived as a king among his troops, like one who comforts those who mourn.

good ole days

Listening to Job describe the kind of life he had lived, it is not hard to understand how much of a temptation he had to do as his wife had suggested: curse God and die. But Job remained faithful to the God who allowed him to lose it all. Job understood that even though he had lost all the power, wealth and influence that anyone could want, he had not lost his relationship with God. Yes, he regrets what he lost, but he stays true to himself.

LORD, give us the wisdom to hang on to you, no matter what we might lose.