November 9, 2017 (Thursday)
Yes, my friends, there is a “Chaos Never Dies Day.” It is celebrated on November 9 of each year. Today’s the day.
At one of the lowest points of Job’s life, he said, “Man that is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (Job 14:1 KJV). You remember Job, don’t you? He’s the person who was happy and doing well in life, when all of a sudden everything went wrong. He lost his health and his wealth. Everyone in his family died except his wife, and she encouraged him by saying, “Curse God and die!” Several friends came to see him and each of them had ideas of their own that they shared with Job, encouraging him to take their advice which each believed would answer all of Job’s questions and give him peace.
After considering everyone’s advice, Job came to a conclusion: “But he [God] knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10 NIV). In the midst of his suffering, Job was moving toward a better understanding of himself and his circumstances.
The book of Job is a wonderful study of human suffering and the philosophies we develop to cope with it. When we get to the New Testament, however, we are introduced to a better way. The teachings of Jesus encourage us to stop worrying. Paul, an apostle of Jesus, learned from Jesus and taught us: “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:4-7 NIV).
The “Chaos Never Dies Day” founders suggest that we “grin and bear it.” I like the path suggested by the New Testament instead: “Trust the Lord.”
Horatio R. Palmer’s hymn, (1868), “Yield Not to Temptation,” offers a chorus worth adopting as a way to deal with life:
“Ask the Savior to help you,
Comfort, strengthen and keep you,
He is willing to aid you,
He will carry you through.”
And the last verse of that hymn is so very true:
“To him that o’ercometh, God giveth a crown,
Through faith we will conquer, though often cast down;
He who is our Savior, our strength will renew;
Look ever to Jesus, He’ll carry you through.”