"I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive Him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him. But God knows the way that I take." Such beauty from the heart of Job. Followed by a haughty confidence that Job will come out as gold. And it is that statement right here that Job will repent of uttering---that all his uprightness being tried by God will produce good gold. Oh, may we see what stirs within us. May we see what remains in our lives as permitted by a very Good God to drive me to Him as my Center, my Source, my All. God was silent to Job. The dark night of the soul. And Job continued to fall forward and sit before God in mystery. And Job is learning just like you and me to rest before God in trust of whatever He does. Job knew way down deep that his suffering was not punishment for his sin that he could stop by living better. In our darkest nights, there is hope that awaits and invites us to love in ways we never knew. "When we cannot figure God out, we will give up the illusion of predictability and control and discover the joy and freedom of hope." God knows the way we take this day.
COME BOLDLY
Father, You never allow more suffering than necessary for our very best life. It's just hard to fathom how much as in the story of Job. Help us to see things from your perspective. Help us to live like this servant of yours who kept coming back to you day after day, wrestling with the deep things. Thank You that You know the way we take this day. You know our wrestle. May we wrestle well.
PHOTO CREDIT: Lady Bird Lake, Austin Texas, where I contemplate if God knows this way I take. Of course He does!
"Will any teach God knowledge,
ReplyDeleteseeing that he judges those who are on high?" Job 21:22
I keep forgetting that I can't teach God anything; there is nothing He doesn't already know. He sees all and and He is not surprised by anything and...He is the judge. I'm praying that I/we keep pouring out to the Only One who truly understands. Have a nice day, Pearls!
p.s. Bev, thanks for reminding me that way deep down he knew that his suffering was not punishment. So often I have a tendency to go there. I don't want to go to Him for ulterior motives either, just so my life will go smoothly. --> "Father, You never allow more suffering than necessary for our very best life." I just read a comment written by a dear friend of mine whose son committed suicide this past Summer. She told the whole world that she isn't mad at God, but trusting His Will in it all. I'm hoping to dive deep in His Word this year, so I can be better equipped for the tragedies that none of us are immune to. I am so grateful that Linda has a Savior who can give her comfort in these most difficult days of her life.
ReplyDeleteAng, when a mom who just lost her child says a quote like that, you know it's God and just beautiful. She is a kept person!
DeleteI totally agree. She has always had her priorities in the right order. She is such an inspiration! I hope all is well with you! Hugs!
DeleteBut I do not perceive him...such a sad phrase. I think most Christians have a wilderness season in which they did not think their prayers are reaching God and they feel an emptiness as if He is not a part of their life. In my experience the wilderness season ended and I had an even deeper trust in God.
ReplyDeleteIf I enter the wilderness again, I hope to remember how Job's story ends.
*Love*
DeleteI've kind of scratched my head at Job and wondered how a man could be so confident in his own righteousness. And then I think for one more second on it, and know I am guilty of the same thing.
ReplyDeleteIn one way, I love that he is at the Feet of God making his case so confidently, and in another it seems so pompous. I don't approach God that way, but i tend to go through life thinking I'm trying to do it right , which reveals what is in my heart. With these Words this morning, I see more I need to deal with. Wrestling with God well is a continual process.
I love Job’s tenacity. Though he can’t see him because of the darkness, he holds fast, keeps talking to the God he cannot sense is there. “yet I am not silenced because of the darkness, nor because thick darkness covers my face.”
Yes, Annette—those wildernesses can have their beautiful way in us. But I’ve seen it go both ways. We can either grow closer to God because of it or fall away. Let us be diligent like Job to keep bringing our heart before Him and laying it bare.
"Not silenced by his darkness" ---- oh my! What an intriguing verse. Job never let go of God. I keep shaking my head ---- 10 children buried on his property. 10 grave markers.
DeleteI have been thinking of all the radical changes that have happened in my life the last 2 years, shock, disbelief our way of life was ending, anger, despair, and finally acceptance things will never be the same. This year, I am ready for change. Whatever God wants I want. This year I will be wrapping myself in His Word. I'm tired of beating against the rocks. I am ready to fall on my face at his feet, and let his love pour over me. Broken and bruised, wanting His Healing.
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DeletePraying for you right now, Janet. Deut 33:26.
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