“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.” (Job 42:5 NIV)
I had planned to write on “Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven” (Matt. 6: 10b) today, but I’d like to share some thoughts about this Scripture from Job instead. I will write a little about Matt. 6:10b very soon.
In this present season of life, I am surrounded by many trials.
Can you relate?
I suspect all of us have been in this place at one time or another.
Right now, each passing day seems to bring something new that is going wrong, for me personally or a loved one.
My thoughts are on Job and his life’s story a lot lately. He was a man who loved and trusted God greatly.
Through his trials, he remained faithful to God, but he did curse the day of his birth. So, we can surmise that he must have wondered where God was, and didn’t understand why things were so difficult for him.
We’re never given an explanation as to why Job endured all the troubles that he did, but today’s Scripture shows us some revelation about God that he gained through them.
We can ‘hear’ the message about God, and His great love for us, but it is in the tough times in life that we are most likely going to truly ‘see’ Him, as we call out to Him for help. He is faithful.
In conversation with someone the other day, I listened to my own words as I said, “If I can see God during this chaos, I know I can handle anything, because He gives me hope and strength.”
For a while, I couldn’t see God as much as I could see all that was going wrong around me. I felt overwhelmed and weak.
Then, I felt that He reminded me of something in His still, small voice…Satan’s purpose in my life is to bring destruction, but God’s plan is for my ultimate best – that I would have abundant life. John 10:10 (NIV) confirms, “The thief [Satan] comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I [Jesus] have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
These circumstances are ongoing, but I’m different. I can “see” God again. I know that He hasn’t left me. He still “has my back.” I don’t know exactly how it will all work out, but it will. I’ve asked my heavenly Father to help me through this, to show me what to do each day, and to enable me to trust Him – instead of doubting Him.
Romans 8:28 (NIV) says, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”
Whatever your struggles are today, you can trust God. He will see you through it. When you call out to Him, He will answer you.
My prayer today, “Father God, I thank You and praise You. Please help me to see You every day, regardless of how dark things look around me. Please help me to always see Your light. I need You to give me strength to overcome every challenge I will face. May all my thoughts and actions glorify You. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN.
