Daily Devotion - Monday, May 18

Tuesdays on Monday

“In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil… Early in the morning he would sacrifice a burnt offering for each of them, thinking, ‘Perhaps my children have sinned and cursed God in their hearts. This was Job’s regular custom.”
--From the Prologue to the book of Job

Many of us are familiar with the story of Job. It’s a story of the wealthiest person of the East losing everything. It’s a faith story and worthy of reading.

I really like the book Tuesdays with Morrie. From time to time I share stories from this book which is the story of a college professor, Morrie Schwartz, and the last weeks of his life. Mitch Albom was one of the professor’s students who, upon hearing that his beloved teacher was dying, decided he wanted to spend time with his professor and learn some additional lessons about life. This little snippet shows that Morrie didn’t lose his spark and enthusiasm even as he journeyed toward his eternal rest.

Okay, question, I say to Morrie. His bony fingers hold his glasses across his chest, which rises and falls with each labored breath.
“What is the question?” he says.
Remember the Book of Job?
“From the Bible?”
Right, Job is a good man, but God makes him suffer. To test his faith.
“I remember.”
Takes away everything he has, his house, his money, his family…
“His health.”
Makes him sick.
“To test his faith.”
Right, I say. To test his faith. So, I’m wondering…
“What are you wondering?”
What you think about that?
Morrie coughs violently. His hands quiver as he drops them by his side.
“I think,” he says, smiling, “God overdid it.” (Pages 150-151)

May you find enough spark and enthusiasm for today and this week. Thanks Morrie!

--Ben Keckler
05.18.09