214 - Job 28-29

When the waters stir.  Here are the words of a man who has lost more than we can fathom.  A man trying to muster every ounce of trust in a Good God Who "has taken away my right, the Almighty, who has made my soul bitter."  And Job promises that as long as he has breath, he will not speak falsehood nor deceive.  My problem is not thinking I am righteous, I know I'm not.  Job was the other side of the coin. "I will not put away my integrity from me."  Job 28:5.  The last disaster that I was in caused me to question the motives of others rather than pursue righteousness and what was going on inside of my own heart.  Job may be boastful of his righteousness but he is falling forward in a direction where few land.  And he said: "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom." Job longed for wisdom!  May it be the cry of our hearts in the midst of any mess.  Wisdom far above the price of gold and jewels.  Is that what I long for in the midst of my health issues?  Job did.  That a man could live with no reproach, in such enormous suffering, and not let go of his trust in a Good God! No words. 

Oh, Father, may we drink deeply from the words of this man who loved you so.  Job didn't believe that You owed him a better life.  He did think his righteousness should please you.  If only we all could see the depths of our sinful nature and how we use You.  All the while, you are empowering and enabling each one of us to become the men and women You have called us to be.  Grant us Grace to face the place where we live.

PHOTO:  Pensacola Beach, Florida. Credit of Flickr, Commons.  I've stood on this pier when the waves crashed just like that in my heart.  I've spilled tears here.  And I fell forward on a very Good God.