Happy Spring!

For affliction does not come from the dust,
​​Nor does trouble spring from the ground. Job 5:6

Happy Spring to you! Winter ends at last; the warmth and growth of spring begin. Yes, that is what happened this weekend, but for us this does not usually last. My apricot tree bloomed and that, unfortunately, has in the past four springs only meant that the next freeze is on the way. So, if we are of a morbid turn of mind, we might say, "Spring! When the delicate white apricot blossoms freeze, turn black, and die." No fruit for you.

Have a care with our verse for today. Anytime we see Job referenced we want to find out who is talking. Is it the Lord? In which case we should learn and obey. Is it Job, who was accounted righteous by God Himself? Or, as in this case today, might the speaker be one of Job's friends who were in the wrong and all they say should be sifted carefully with the Holy Spirit as our guide?

We know from the earlier chapters in Job's story that for him at least the trouble did appear to spring from the ground, or perhaps the air, for Job had not sinned in this case. The troubles came upon Job so suddenly that one messenger could not finish before another showed up. The home of one child fell so quickly that none of Job's children got out alive. Had Job been consumed by guilt over a sin hidden away, he might have sided with his friends, "Aha, I have sinned against God and must repent!" But he didn't.

For all Job knew, his affliction did come from the dust and his trouble sprung up from the very ground. We know from the story that it came from the Accuser and that Job was not at fault in any way in his present tribulation. And so it may go for us.

Have a happy Spring day in Christ Jesus!

Bucky