The Lord gave me everything I had, and the LORD has taken it away. Praise the name of the LORD! (Job 1:21)(NLT)
The following worship profile is from the Praise and Worship Study Bible published by Tyndale House. This is a fantastic study Bible if you are interested in praise and worship and learning more about biblical worship and how we can learn from it. I highly recommend it.
How do we come to grips with what C. S. Lewis has called "the problem of pain"? Pain and suffering have troubled us since the fall of humanity in Eden. No doubt since those first days, we have repeatedly asked, "Why must people endure suffering?" Does God mete out suffering to punish us for our misdeeds? If so, why does God let bad things happen to good people? Perhaps the oldest study of these timeless questions is the book of Job. Although he was a blameless man who loved God and shunned evil, Job was suddenly afflicted with terrible pain and suffering. Because he did not know the reason for his suffering, Job struggled through many dark days, arguing with his friends about God's character and the cause of his pain. Ultimately Job's ponderings led him to consider one fundamental question: Do we worship God because he is good to us, or do we worship God because He is God?
Job the Worshiper
Job was described as righteous, a man of "complete integrity" (Job 1:1). Along with his character, Job's habits were also righteous. He worshiped God daily, serving as priest for his large family (Job 1:5).
Through his faithful worship, Job came to understand the character of God, and this knowledge helped support him during his terrible trials. But Job's perspective was still limited, and he wrongly questioned God's wisdom and justice, putting God on an equal plane with himself. Eventually Job realized his mistake, and he repented.
Learning from Job
Like Job, we must be honest before God in prayer as we work through our trials. We need not hide or put on a good face during difficult times.
As we reflect on God and his promises, we gain a greater, eternal perspective on things we are experiencing right now (Job 19:25). Although we still suffer, we have the assurance that someday we will be with God.
Though our worship may involve ritual, the essence of worship is found in knowing and glorifying God. Job expressed this truth as he exclaimed, "I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes" (Job 42:5)(NLT)
Following the Example
Job's story can challenge our superficial notions about worship and the God we serve. Worship teaches us about God's character, and we can cling to these truths in times of crisis and doubt. But worship also shows us that we have a finite understanding of God and his ways. God is not obligated to grant our requests simply because we worship him wholeheartedly. Instead, we must come to realize, as Job did, that God's majesty, power, and wisdom are "too wonderful for [us]" (Job 42:3)(NLT)
Singing His Praises,
Joey Culpepper