The Darkest Day

By Pastor Dan Hickling

“Now there was a day . . . ” Job 1:13 ( NKJV)

"I remember the day . . ." Sometimes those words are followed by wonderful memories and milestone moments: weddings, the birth of a child, graduation, a new job, an amazing event. But other times, the day in question is one of tragedy and pain, of immense suffering that sticks with us. This day referenced in Job 1:13 is certainly one that Job never forgot. It would prove to be unprecedented in the amount of loss that it brought, not just in Job’s life, but in all of history. 

Before delving into this day, a word of warning: Don’t allow your familiarity with the story to numb you to the shattering impact that this had on Job. Ask God to tune your imagination to an empathic frequency before reading any further: “A messenger came to Job and said, ‘The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, when the Sabeans raided them and took them away—indeed they have killed the servants . . . .’ while he was still speaking, another also came and said, ‘The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants, and consumed them . . .’ while he was still speaking, another also came and said, ‘The Chaldeans formed three bands, raided the camels and took them away, yes, and killed the servants . . .’ while he was still speaking, another also came and said, ‘Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, and suddenly a great wind came from across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they are dead’” (Job 1:14-19 NKJV)!

It’s safe to say that nobody has ever had so much ripped away from them in so short a time. Like concussive waves mercilessly pounding a wrecked ship, the reports come one after the other—theft, loss, and death—ending with the most painful of crescendos: all ten of his children, gone.

As much as we may ask God’s help to imagine such a thing, it’s hard to fully relate to the magnitude of this tragedy. But it’s not hard to imagine our own suffering, because we all suffer to some degree. However, Job’s account is not meant to minimize our own suffering. It's not meant to make us think, "I don't have it that bad."  It's actually intended to help guide us through our grief, because what Job does next shows us the best thing we can do when we encounter loss and grief, “Job . . . fell to the ground and worshiped” (Job 1:20 NKJV).

Take note; amidst the sea of suffering, Job does not focus on the “why” but instead on the “who”; who God is and it is enough to fill a broken and empty heart. May we do the same when “The Day” comes our way. May we find ourselves bowed before the Lord in worship, not preoccupied with why we’re suffering, but with who God is.