Tag Archives: tribulation

That’s a strange expression in the King James Version of the Bible.

Behold, we count them happy which endure.
Ye have heard of the patience of Job,
and have seen the end of the Lord;
that the Lord is very pitiful,
and of tender mercy.

James 5:10,11

Does that mean that in seeing behind the scenes in the book of Job we also see the purposes of God?

Well, this is the Internet, so I will check in another version or translation…

OK, here you go:

Indeed we count them blessed who endure.
You have heard of the perseverance of Job
and seen the end intended by the Lord—
that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

New King James Version

We count those blessed who endured.
You have heard of the endurance of Job
and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings,
that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

New American Standard Bible

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.
You have heard of Job’s perseverance
and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.
The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

New International Version

So earlier this morning I was reading over the Scripture text for this morning’s Sunday School lesson.

I came to verses 37 and 38 (naturally, since the passage is Mark 4:26-41):

And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full.

And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow; and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish?

What should have they done?

What do you think you would have done?

More importantly, what did Jesus want them to do?

Not what they did. That’s quite obvious from what He said to them (v. 40) after He calmed the storm:

And he said unto them,
Why are ye so fearful?
how is that ye have no faith?

Frankly, I don’t know what they were supposed to do.

I mean…yeah, I know they were supposed to be full of faith and without fear.

But in practical terms, what were they supposed to do?

And when my “boat” is being pounded by the wind and filled by the waves, what am I to do?