by Brad Duncan
Brother Eli stopped speaking and was very proud of himself. All of a sudden, a giant roar of thunder shook the hospital room. The door to Jobe’s room slammed shut! A mist slowly filled the entire room. The dense fog began to swirl, steadily gaining speed until it was a roaring whirlwind. All the men were terrified!
Chapter 8
Job 38:1-2 “Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind and said,
“Who is this that darkens counsel By words without knowledge?”
The Lord of all creation; of heaven and earth; the Alpha and Omega, Jehovah God entered Jobe's hospital room in the whirlwind. He called out in a thunderous voice, “Who is this that questions me without knowledge? Prepare yourself, Jobe. You believe you are incredibly wise and know so much. I'll ask the questions and you can answer them for me!”
Every man in that hospital room was gripped with fear.
God began His questioning, “Where were you when I laid out the foundation of the earth? When I decided where to put the mountains and the seas, what were you doing? I told the sea you can come this far, but no farther!
“Have you commanded the Sun to rise in the east? Have you seen the bottom of the oceans or do you understand death? Do you know how big the earth really is? Go ahead and tell me.
“Nothing to say? Do you know where light originates? Do you know where I keep the snow and hail stored for times of war? I suppose you will explain to me where lightning comes from and where the winds begin.
“Jobe, you don't think all of this just happens do you? I designed the stars and universe in a very intricate way. Let's see you take control of the lightning and command it where to strike.
“No answers about the earth or weather? What about the animal kingdom. Can you teach the lioness to catch her prey and feed her young? Why does an ostrich have wings and feathers, but can't fly? Did you create the majestic horse and give him his mane? Why does the eagle build her nest high on the cliff?”
Then God asked Jobe, “Now what do you have to say? Teach me one thing I don't already know. Do you still wish to take me to court?”
Jobe broke his silence, “I didn't know what I was saying. I should have never questioned you! I'll be quiet and listen to you, my Lord!”
God continued his questioning, “You wanted to teach me; here's your chance! I’ll tell you what, you put the arrogant and wicked in their place with your power, then I will listen to your wisdom. The great creatures of the earth are under my power. The terrifying land and sea creatures, I created them both. Even the angels are amazed at the power of these beasts, and they answer to me alone!”
Jobe cried out in desperation, “I'm convinced! I spoke without true wisdom and I babbled on about things I didn't understand. I thought that I knew you, but I didn't. Please forgive me!”
God answered gracefully, “I forgive you, Jobe. Now about your friends O'Malley, Taylor and Miller. They have not been honest with me or about me, the way you have. I will not forgive them yet.”
The three clergymen and Eli laid on the floor weeping in repentance.
The Lord continued, “I want each of them to make a sacrifice to me. They must take a full year’s wages and give it away to the poor. Then they must have you, Jobe, pray for their forgiveness, because you are the only one in this room who has kept your integrity intact.”
The mist was suddenly gone from the room. The power immediately returned to the hospital room. Jobe realized all of his physical pain was gone. He looked down at his arms. They were completely healed. There was no sign that the scabs and boils had ever been there. He praised God!
Father O'Malley, Pastor Taylor, Bishop Miller, and Brother Eli slowly rose up off the ground. They began profusely apologizing to Jobe.
A nurse opened the door to Jobe's ICU room and hurried inside. “I'm so sorry, Mr. Jobe. We had an emergency in another room. I know your pain meds are overdue. You must be in tremendous pain.....What happened?!”
The nurse was looking intently at Jobe's restored face and body.
Jobe answered, “God is good.”
She exclaimed, “I've got to call your doctor! This is a miracle!”
The hospital staff continually came by to see their miracle patient. Jobe was discharged the next day.
Chapter 9
Job 42:7 And it came about after the LORD had spoken these words to Job,
that the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, “My wrath is kindled against you and
against your two friends, because you have not spoken of Me what is right as My servant Job has.”
Jasmine had been admitted to a psyche ward. She had been depressed to the point of considering taking her own life. Jobe found out where she was and rushed to her.
He entered her room, “Sweetheart, I'm here for you.”
Jasmine looked up and saw her fully healed husband. Something inside of her came back to who she was. She ran to her husband! They embraced with tears flowing from both of them.
Jasmine looked up into her husband's eyes, “Jobe, I love you. Please forgive me for being so foolish.”
“We were both foolish.”
She answered, “But I gave up on God.”
“He never gave up on you.”
Jasmine's doctors wanted to keep her a few more days just to be certain she was healthy again. Jobe agreed, but insisted on staying with her.
A few days later, Jobe met with his friends who had been with him at the hospital. It was a beautiful warm sunny day in Central Park. Once again they begged for his forgiveness and he graciously gave it. He asked if they had made the sacrifices that the Lord had required of them. All of them had. Beginning with Father O'Malley, Jobe laid his hands upon them one by one and asked God to forgive them.
Through this trial all of these religious leaders learned that their understanding of the Lord God was limited. They thought they knew all about Him, but He was bigger and more awesome than their minds could conceive. The Creator of the universe is far more awesome than the created beings can understand.
Jobe picked Jasmine up from the hospital and they left to begin their new life together. God began to pour out His blessings upon Jobe once again.
Chapter 10
Job 42:10 “And the LORD restored the fortunes of Job when he prayed
for his friends, and the LORD increased all that Job had twofold.”
Decades later, Pamela Barker scheduled an interview with the Jobes. She was no longer the young internet sensation she had been at the time of their first meeting. Over the years, Pamela had become a celebrated, award-winning news reporter. Her long distinguished career would culminate today in her final interview. It would be with Jobe, who was once again the world’s richest person.
Jobe and Jasmine were happy to welcome Pamela into their home. They were outside playing with some of their grandchildren when she arrived.
Entering the living room Jasmine hugged Pamela, “It’s been far too long. We’re so glad to see you.”
Pamela exclaimed, “It's good to see you too! What a lovely family. Thank you for allowing me to spend some time with you today.”
Jobe said, “It's wonderful to see you again, Pamela. We've followed your distinguished career. That bubbly girl we met so many years ago has certainly lived up to the potential we saw in her!”
Pamela replied “It's not often someone can make me blush these days. Thank you.”
They sat down to begin the interview.
Pamela began, “Jobe, the last time we were together you had just been named by Forbes magazine as the 'World's Richest Person' for the first time. Shortly after that interview, unheard of tragedy struck you and your family. You lost everything, including all of your kids and your health. How did you survive all of that loss?”
Jobe answered, “I've found it's during the toughest trials that we grow the most. Of course, no one wants to go through bad times. But if we look for wisdom during those seasons of life, we will find it.”
Pamela asked, “What was the toughest part of those dark days?”
Jobe answered, “The toughest part was not understanding why all of those bad things were happening to me. I felt like I had always been obedient to the Lord. I guess the age-old question, 'Why do bad things happen to good people', was my biggest struggle.”
Jasmine added, “It didn't help that I had a nervous breakdown at that time. After losing the kids, I was overwhelmed and just couldn't hold things together.”
Pamela said, “Nobody can blame you. Most people wouldn’t be able to handle that horrible situation. But it wasn't long before you started growing your family again.”
Jasmine agreed, “Yes! God allowed me to get pregnant and blessed us greatly.”
Pamela added, “I would say He did. Amazingly, you have had ten more kids. Do you feel you appreciate them more after going through such a terrible loss the first time around?”
Jasmine answered, “I know we love both sets of kids equally. I'm not sure we could love any kids more than we loved our first bunch. They were fantastic. But we probably do 'appreciate' being parents in a different way this time around, simply because we know they can be taken away in an instant. We have learned to enjoy every moment with our family.”
Jobe jokingly added, “But there's nothing like our grandkids and great-grandkids! We can always send them home!”
They all laughed, then Pamela continued, “Jobe, you not only prospered in your personal life, but you were recently named the wealthiest person alive for the second time. Is it better this time around?”
Jobe said, “All of these lists are worthless. Honestly, if I had realized I would be on top of this list again, I would have given more money away. Tomorrow I'll be donating half of my wealth to the needy.”
Pamela replied, “It’s not like you are currently hoarding your wealth. You are already one of the largest donors in the world. Your organizations have helped alleviate hunger, poverty, and disease to millions in need. Are you announcing you are giving half of your immense wealth away in addition to those funds?”
Jobe answered, “Yes. God has blessed us with far more than we deserve. We are responsible to be good stewards of God's gifts, whether they are large or small.”
Pamela said, “When I first interviewed you, all those many years ago, I asked you: 'What do you attribute to achieving your great success?' You said the answer was it being God's grace. Would that still be your answer or has it changed with time?”
Jobe replied, “My answer is exactly the same, and totally different, than it was so long ago. Let me explain. I still owe every ounce of my success to the Lord. What is different is my understanding of Him. He is greater than I could ever imagine! Always perfect, beautiful, and good. He works in ways we don't always understand to accomplish His perfect will. Whether I am found in plenty or in need: His grace is sufficient for me; blessed be the name of the Lord!”
Job 42:16-17 After this, Job lived 140 years, and saw his sons and his grandsons, four generations. And Job died, an old man and full of days.
The End
For other books by Brad Duncan please visit www.3tChallenge.com or Amazon.com.
First Fruits
A Novel
By
Brad Duncan
Chapter 1
Pastor Patrick Spakes looked across his sanctuary filled with more people than its pews could hold, and he was filled with pride. All the hard work, the countless phone calls, the expensive mail-outs, and the long evenings away from his family had paid off. There were so many people in attendance extra chairs had to be set up in the aisles. He looked out into the congregation and smiled at his lovely wife, Christy. She was sitting with their seventeen year old son, Daniel, and their fifteen year old daughter, Jamie. Christy smiled back thinking how happy he would be if today's goal was met.
"Just as I Am" was being half-heartedly sung by the massive gathering of people. No one was coming forward during the invitation, but that was of no concern to Pastor Patrick this morning. Success or failure on this day would be achieved simply by the number of people in attendance. This was High Attendance Sunday! The goal of five hundred people must be met, or all of the hard work and preparation would be a total and complete failure.
He prayed to himself, Lord, you know how hard I've worked to get people here today. Please let us break the five hundred person mark this morning. Just as he finished praying, Joe Smith, head of the Board of Deacons, entered the back of the sanctuary with an envelope in his hand. The pastor stepped forward, midway through the final verse of the song, raising his hand in the air to stop everything.
"It looks like we have the results for today's attendance! Come on up Deacon Joe. Two years ago we broke the two-hundred fifty person barrier. Last year we broke the four-hundred person mark. As you are all aware, this year’s goal is to break five hundred!"
As the pastor spoke, Deacon Joe marched to the front of the church and handed him the envelope. Taking it he said, "I certainly hope this contains good news, Deacon Joe."
In a melancholy voice the deacon spoke for all to hear, "Well, Pastor, I know everyone did their best." He took his seat on the front row as the pastor opened the envelope and peeked at its contents.
Pastor Patrick noticeably slumped as if he had just received heart-breaking news. He shook his head from side to side for a moment. Then in a somber voice he said, "I know you all worked hard. We have counted everyone in here, all the kids in children's church, and in the nursery. Every soul counts. We did have a good turnout. Regardless if we break five hundred today or not, I know God is proud of you."
All eyes were transfixed on him and the envelope in his hand containing the results of their hard work.
They were all hoping the pastor's tell-tale signs of defeat were not true. The tension in the room was palpable and everyone was on the edge of their seat anticipating the pastor's next words. Pastor Patrick was naturally gifted in theatrics and this was a moment he loved.
"Today's official attendance at Big Oak Christian Church is..." then after pausing for dramatic effect he loudly proclaimed, "five hundred and three!"
A shout arose from the congregation as they exploded in a great chorus of cheering and clapping! Some people hugged. Some gave high fives. Some even cried.
Pastor Patrick, a smile now on his face from ear to ear, called for order.
"I'm so proud of every one of you. You should be proud of yourselves and of your church. Now, who thinks we can break seven hundred people next year?"
The congregation laughed and cheered. Christy Spakes was filled with mixed emotions. She was glad her husband had reached the goal he had worked so long and hard for. He had met the challenge he placed before himself once again. But the thought of already setting the attendance bar so high for next year made her feel tired and lonely. Maybe even a bit jealous of all the attention the church would receive at her expense. But for now, she would choose to be happy for him. The elated pastor dismissed the service with a short prayer thanking God for allowing them success in meeting their goal once again this year.
Toward the back of the sanctuary sat Sister Ruth Snyder. She was a spry woman in her nineties. Mentally she was sharp, and spiritually a prayer warrior second to none. As she sat watching the celebration, her spirit was troubled. She had learned over her many years of devotion to Jesus to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit.
Sister Snyder did not know it, but God was going to use her to deliver a pivotal message affecting every person attending Big Oak Christian Church; especially Pastor Patrick Spakes.
ends
