A Byword
And now I have become their song; I am a byword to them. They abhor me; they keep aloof from me; they do not hesitate to spit at the sight of me. Because God has loosed my cord and humbled me, they have cast off restraint in my presence.
Job 30:9–11
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A Byword
Job laments the fact that the people have so quickly turned on him and now scorn him. In the past, when he had everything, the people could not wait to be in his presence and listen to him. The admired him as a wise and prudent man. Now he has become a punchline, someone to mock and deride. Today we call these people fair-weather friends. Always there with a kind word when times are good but are nowhere in sight during the bad times. And when we place our trust and hope in men, this is too often what happens. God warns us of this, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” (Psalm 146:3) We are to set our gaze upon the only truly steadfast hope which we have. In a world which continues to spin out of control, in which there is no sure footing, we look upon the cross. In faith we cling to it and in doing so the chaos of this world stops. We are anchored to the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. In Him we have the assurance of hope. We have the promise of steadfastness, no matter our situation. In His death and resurrection, we find rest.
Job 30:9–11
+
A Byword
Job laments the fact that the people have so quickly turned on him and now scorn him. In the past, when he had everything, the people could not wait to be in his presence and listen to him. The admired him as a wise and prudent man. Now he has become a punchline, someone to mock and deride. Today we call these people fair-weather friends. Always there with a kind word when times are good but are nowhere in sight during the bad times. And when we place our trust and hope in men, this is too often what happens. God warns us of this, “Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation.” (Psalm 146:3) We are to set our gaze upon the only truly steadfast hope which we have. In a world which continues to spin out of control, in which there is no sure footing, we look upon the cross. In faith we cling to it and in doing so the chaos of this world stops. We are anchored to the Rock of our salvation, Jesus Christ. In Him we have the assurance of hope. We have the promise of steadfastness, no matter our situation. In His death and resurrection, we find rest.
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