Job 20:22
In the fullness of his sufficiency, he will be in distress,
Every hand in misery will come upon him
A friend of a friend started a service organization called Lighthouse for Students. We went to the fund raising gala last night. This group using volunteers to help the poorest of the poor (homeless children) to know that they are worthy and are loved by God. The ultimate goal is to have these kids establish a saving relationship with Christ, but the path is to establish a personal relationship with these kids and show them love. We have been happy to help with this group for a few years and will be happy if we can continue to do so.
When I read ‘his sufficiency’ I wanted to capitalize the his to honor God, but realized this was false sufficiency of the person themselves. One source has ‘in the midst of his plenty’ which is much simpler to understand, but I much preferred the broader sense once I read it again. This idea is that just when he thinks he has it made. I like this idea as it reminds me to not get too full of myself either.
‘Distress’ was also ’straights’, ‘trouble’, and ‘pain’. ‘Sufficiency’ was also ‘needs filled’, ‘measure is full’, and ‘has all he wants’.
‘Every’ was also ‘all’, ‘full’, and ‘whole’. ‘In misery’ was also ‘suffer’, ‘wretched’, ‘misfortune’, and ‘wicked’. ‘Come upon’ was also ‘come against’, ‘batter’, ‘bear hard’, and ‘attack’. The overriding idea was that all the force of misery would come upon him just when he has it all. Again, the false thinking of a ‘you get what’s coming to you’ philosophy.
The one idea that resonated with me more last night than ever before is the hopelessness these kids have because no one believes in them. My mom believed in me like no other, and it was enough to get me to look beyond our situation and strive for better. A high schooler, homeless, with three kids, no parents, and no one to turn to. How can that not break your heart. One girl was convinced this organization came to her school because she had the audacity to ask God for help.
42 is known as Jackie Robinson’s number as he is revered for breaking the color barrier in Major League Baseball. His story is much greater than just a game, but all he did was because he had faith God would carry him through and refused to do it all by himself. It is hard to fathom the degree to which this country is still so divided. It is a much bigger problem that me, but I have to act upon my decision to let God lead me in whatever He asks.
I pray that God will use me. Even if I do not get to know how. My job is to follow. His job is to save the world.
Written 3/28/26, Posted 4/27/26, Job 480/~1070