Miss Fortune

Daily Reading:  Job 12-14

In the thought of one who is at ease there is contempt for misfortune. (Job 12.5)

Devotional Thought: How many times have we heard - or even thought ourselves! - "They're just getting what they deserve"?  That attitude was displayed when the disciples asked Jesus, "Who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?" (John 9.2).  It was also displayed in Job's friends.  As Job endured their 'comfort', he observed, "In the thought of one who is at ease, there is contempt for misfortune." 

Misfortune.  Or stated more accurately, "Miss Fortune."  "Fortune" is the anglicized version of the Latin "Fortuna."  She was the goddess of chance, luck, or fate.  With veiled eyes, she could bring good luck to bad people or bad luck to good people.  I've met "Miss Fortune" a time or two, haven't you?  I also have good friends who have been run over by Lady Luck.  While we don't believe in luck, Jesus himself said, "It rains on the just and the unjust."  In other words, we can't tell a person's worthiness for suffering just by observing from the outside.  And even if we could, we should abstain from contempt.

I wonder how many "Jobs" are found in immigrant detention centers or addiction recovery facilities.  And, I wonder how many "Job's comforters" are found in church pews and - sadly - in pulpits.  Rather than having contempt for the unfortunate, should we not have mercy?  May God have mercy on us.  God have mercy on me!

Remember the words on the Statue of Liberty: “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free, the wretched refuse of your teeming shore. Send these, the homeless, tempest-tossed to me, I lift my lamp beside the golden door!”

Prayer: Lord, it is so easy to judge and condemn when we see the misfortune of others.  Help us, as you did, to see the huddled masses and to lift the lamp beside the golden door.  Amen.

Psalm of the Day: Psalm 119.137-144

137 Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.

138 You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

139 My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.

140 Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

141 I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.

142 Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.

143 Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.

144 Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.