“Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.”–Job 14:1
This describes life on planet earth. Of all that might be said, only two things are mentioned— life is of “few days” and “full of trouble”. He speaks of duration and difficulties, brevity and burdens. Life is short and a struggle, uncertain and unpleasant. We are foolish to expect it to be otherwise. A fallen world results in life being of few days and full of trouble. And it is getting progressively worse. Still we are expected to do our duty with delight. Although suffering greatly we are to serve faithfully. Although the road is rough we are required to “rejoice in the Lord alway”(Phil.4:4).
When he says life is “full of trouble” we all agree– if not now then later. There is trouble of all sorts and sizes in all seasons of life. Sin brought a curse upon the earth and it brings disease, difficulty, and death. Thus there is dread and despair. Seeing that it gets worse with the passing of time, who would want to live forever? At some point you would reach a breaking point. So, thank God it is but a “few days”. And it is but a few days whether you die at 9 or 90. Compared to eternity we are here but for a moment. For the righteous death shall be a delight, for “the just shall come out of trouble”(Prov. 30:5).
Your troubles might be terrible but they are temporary–“but for a moment” and transforming–working “for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory”.(2 Cor. 4:17). For the child of God the best is always yet to come! When your health and wealth is gone your inheritance awaits. When the storm clouds of sorrow overwhelm you, joy comes in the morning. The best will have, at long last, come and the burdens will go. Until that day appointed comes let us “wait” as Job did (Job 14:14)— ever mindful, in good times or bad, the best is yet to come.
