Devotional Thoughts: he lit up the way before me

Job 29 ...

Job continued speaking:
I long for the years gone by
when God took care of me,
when he lit up the way before me
and I walked safely through the darkness.
When I was in my prime,
God’s friendship was felt in my home.

Job looked back on his earlier life when things were better. And indeed, as one reads on, Job lived a life that if I could say those things in my old age, I would feel I've had a good life.

What are the things most of us care about in life?

The Almighty was still with me,
and my children were around me.

Family ...

My cows produced milk in abundance,
and my groves poured out streams of olive oil.

Material benefits to meet our needs and in Job's case he had more than enough ...

Those were the days when I went to the city gate
and took my place among the honored leaders.
The young stepped aside when they saw me,
and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.
The princes stood in silence
and put their hands over their mouths.
The highest officials of the city stood quietly,
holding their tongues in respect.
All who heard me praised me.
All who saw me spoke well of me.

Respect and a good reputation for good character ...

For I assisted the poor in their need
and the orphans who required help.
I helped those without hope, and they blessed me.
And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.

Compassion ...

Everything I did was honest.
Righteousness covered me like a robe,
and I wore justice like a turban.

Integrity ...

I served as eyes for the blind
and feet for the lame.
I was a father to the poor
and assisted strangers who needed help.

Kindness ...

I broke the jaws of godless oppressors
and plucked their victims from their teeth.

Justice ... a real man blends gentle compassion with a fierceness for justice! I just love this word picture!

And so indeed Job has had a life well lived. And he had hopes for his sunset years...

I thought, "Surely I will die surrounded by my family
after a long, good life.

He then gives a metaphor that looks a lot like Psalm 1 ...

For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water,
whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

He continued on reflecting on his life ...

New honors are constantly bestowed on me,
and my strength is continually renewed."
Everyone listened to my advice.
They were silent as they waited for me to speak.
And after I spoke, they had nothing to add,
for my counsel satisfied them.
They longed for me to speak as people long for rain.
They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.
When they were discouraged, I smiled at them.
My look of approval was precious to them.
Like a chief, I told them what to do.
I lived like a king among his troops
and comforted those who mourned.

In his suffering, he looked back on his life. Sure he is battered and burdened by what has happened. Imagine how much more pain he would have felt if he had not lived a good life?

In short, to live is to suffer. And if I have lived a wretched life and suffering befalls me, I would have deserved it. But if I have strived to live rightly and suffering befalls me, I would have the knowledge that I had done rightly and there are those who had benefitted. And of course, I'd have the knowledge that in the eyes of God, I would see his pleasure and he would welcome me into his presence with the commendation, well done, good and faithful servant.

Lord, help me to live the kind of life that Job is talking about here. When I speak to people in real life or when I blog broadcast to whomever is out there, let it be said, "They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain." Amen.