In the opening chapter of Job, a good, God-fearing, blameless, upright man suffers the unthinkable loss of his camels, oxen, donkeys, sheep, servants all his children, and his health.
Satan, who has caused this devastation, is certain Job will curse God. Job’s wife thinks he should curse God and die.
However, twice we read that Job did not sin in what he said. He doesn’t charge God with any wrong doing (Job 1:22: 2:10). Instead he praises God.
So what do you think it means to curse God? Blame him? Question him? Complain about him? Say bad things about him? Call him names? Accuse him of wrongdoing? Challenge his sovereignty?
Do we think of any of those things as sin? The commandments are clear. The bad stuff includes idolatry, murder, adultery, theft, and lying. Upset with God’s performance? Seems minor in comparison.
Except that evaluating Gods performance is putting oneself above God. And that flies in the face of commandment #1: no other gods.
What if the only appropriate response to God is praise? Praise for who he is, who he has revealed himself to be, and his undisputed place as God.
Doesn’t sound complicated. Yet it’s the hardest thing for us to do. On a good day. Never mind a day like Job had.
Start early. Don’t wait to see how the day unfolds. Just praise the one who gave you the day. Morning glory.
