I bought a new Bible the other day. It is called “The Daily Walk”. In it, it has devotions on the side lines of the chapters called “My Daily Walk”. I am reading the book of Job right now, and let me tell you, it is kicking my butt bigtime. This is what it said in the sideline this morning:
“Nowhere in the book of Job does God answer any of the burning questions that caused so much debate between Job and his friends. He simply reveals who he is. Job’s knowledge of God before his trails was primarily secondhand: “My ears had heard of you”. (42:5) But now, after passing through the fire of adversity, he knew that he could trust God personally.
God doesn’t put just any of his children through a Job-like experience. It was because of Job’s God-fearing lifestyle that God permitted him to be tested by Satan in order to strengthen his devotion. Are you facing a severe test of your faith today? View it not as a sign that God has left you but as a token of his desire to deepen your commitment. Complete this sentence:
‘Though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by __________________.’
Pray for a faith that will not shrink when washed in the waters of affliction.”
I could view my hardships and downfalls as a punishment or abandonment, honestly it is a daily battle understanding why my family has been put through so much. And I am no where comparing my self with the life of Job, although I find alot of comfort in reading how he handled his afflictions, and I can only hope that I am handling them with half the character and integrity as he did. I could view my hardships through fleshly eyes, and take on a “woe is me attitude”, (and sometimes I do, just like Job did!) but that has gotten me nowhere other than depressed and feeling worse. Trust me, I have been there.
It is so much easier to lean on Christ, even though it is so much harder to fully trust Him with my afflictions.
But these things I know for sure – not wish or think- but KNOW:
As long as I have life within me, the breath of God in my nostrils, my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will utter no deceit. I will never admit you are in the right; till I die, I will not deny my integrity. I will maintain my righteousness and never let go of it; my conscience will not reproach me as long as I live.
-Job 27:2b-6
“Though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by: proclaiming His name as loud as I possibly can through my trials..unashamed…until the day I die.”
How would you complete that sentence in your own life?
(If you want to share in the comments, please feel free… if not, write it down on a piece of paper, or in your bible…)
Good Morning Heather ! Job is a challenging book for sure. I have Job 37:41 and 42:1-3 posted above me here at work, to remind me that He is greater than me or anything else in life. I love it when the Lord ask. “Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” Sometimes I picture myself raising my hand slowly, and like Job saying, It is I. and I was talking about things I did not understand, things far too wonderful for me ! I can’t believe how much Grace he gives me.
Have a good day Heather.
As always, a wonderful post!!! I can recommend a wonderful book for you on Job. It is “The Splendor of His Ways” by Stephen Kaung. I first read it in 1986 and have re-read it several times and recommended it to many. I have read many books about, and on, Job but this one takes a very different, and I think wonderful view of it.
Susan
Susan – Penless Writers last blog post..STICKY NOTE
You know what, I’m not sure how I would complete that sentence. I am not going through any kind of trial like you, though I have my own trials non the less. And trusting God through them is my struggling point. And I’m not always sure where to turn. Your entry was encouraging, thank you for sharing it.
JoAnn
Oh I love your question.I am in the process of answering it,daily. “Though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by…walking in surrender.” The Lord has been calling me to this place for a long time, but until recently I did not have a name for it. It’s name is surrender.
Two weeks ago I read this…. To want to serve God in some conditions, but not others, is to serve Him in my own way. But to put no limits on your subission to God is truly dying to yourself. This is how to worship God. Open yourself to God without measure. Let His life flow through you like a torrent. Fear nothing on the road you are walking. God will lead you by the hand. let your love for Him cast out the fear you feel for yourself. Francois Fenelon, The Seeking Heart
Step by Step He leads all He asks is that we follow.
Because of Jesus, Bobbie
bobbies last blog post..Tightwad Tuesday
Good thoughts this morning Heather. I’ll complete your sentence since we’re going through a couple of things right now that require a lot of faith. “Though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by: 1) Stopping all fertility treatments and trusting Him to give us the baby He promised us 8 years ago! 2) waiting patiently on Him to direct our paths with regards to my husbands ministry here at our church (he is the pastor).
How is the chemo going for you? I hope the side effects aren’t too terrible this time around.
Praising Him in the storm,
~Karen
Hi Heather,
I want to apologize for the comment yesterday- I made a comment about church etc. But what I meant to say was that no matter how we feel about someone and their spiritual life we have to pray for them…A lott of christian’s per say are the only ones that kill their wounded.
We have been turned away from churches due to my daughter having HIV- and it hurts terribly But God is faithful!!! And Ted Kennedy is most likely not a christian but does that give us a right to judge? He is being afflicted with a disease that only God can heal- so do we pray for him or should we take joy in his affliction?
I think we need to pray for him, and for others even though we don’t agree with their lifestyle or beliefs. Job was afflicted with horrible things, but he still chose to trust God- no matter what!!! God also blessed him with more than he had before, it didn’t mean it brought back what he had- his family, land , homes etc but God did repay him for what he lost.
God can turn around what your going through if ou make a stand to just “TRUST” him, it’s not a feeling but you have to just step out and trust he will take care of you.
I am doing a Bible study by Kay Arthur and boy sometimes we as believers miss the boat because of our own ignorance. Heather you are a blessing to me, and others. God is using you to minister to each of us in a mighty way, it’s all about HIM and I am thankful you are so transparent….cancer is not a fun thing but you are showing us that in spite of diversity we have to listen to what the Lord is speaking to us, and through our pain we can help others and that’s what your doing. (((hugs))) I am praying for you and know God is able!!!
God is asking me to show my trust by: not eating unless I’m hungry, and stopping when the hunger has been eased. It sounds simple and not trust related, but it really, really is…
Sweet Child of His
Lundies last blog post..Book Review – Skid – Rating: 8 out of 10
WOW Heather…:wub: Good comeback sharing HIS WORD and with JOB nonetheless! Though I do not have the JOB experience like you(and I pray no one reads that wrong when you felt you needed to say “you are not comparing yourself to Job”)…I believe we all feel like JOB when we face trials, hardships, persecution, setbacks, illnesses, insurmountable problems…
I have gone through alot in my life, but nothing like your battle.
Thank you again, for making us go deeper and TRUST more! Thank you for showing us how to search within ourselves for what God is doing with each of us personally!!! I’m glad you bought that new Bible and are sharing it with us!
You surprised me in how you completed it but I commend you for the profoundness of your declaration of strength, faith, trust.
I tried to complete the statement (but have placed it in my Bible like you mentioned to think on it more). “though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by…
daily opening up wounds of my past that I need to resolve
to move forward in His Glory, with conviction His Truth has set me free and I am forgiven…though He has not abandoned me and at times I feel all alone, I am reassured that HE is here in Mexico with me…He is in control and He is Lord over everything.
My mind and spirit are being restored and HE reigns and has given me a sound mind, strength and HIS Almighty grace to
confront it all for HIS NAME SAKE!:silly: :heart:
I pray that you are spared from more stress and that all side effects of chemo are defeated by the Name of Jesus’…stand strong…BE BLESSED :angel:
Peggy@Mazes, Messes, & Miracles….s last blog post..Monday MARATHON:Read the Bible in 90 days
Hi Heather,
Praise the Lord for your faithfulness to bless so many everyday with encouragement and being so real. I woke up today not being able to function in the physical knowing so much had to be done today, not only in ministry but in the home, so my fill in the blank for today is ‘Though I do not understand why, God is asking me to show my trust by believing that it can only get better, to say is it okay, God knows and to allow the Holy Spirit to fill me with His super natural strength for today. An unspeakable joy that I cannot contain. To have a Phillipians 4:8 mind. I was failing this AM, I had listened to the Casting Crowns cd, I will praise you in the storm, and just wept, i was so consumed with how poorly I felt, the pain in my physical body, th eweakness and nausia, and the emotional pain in my heart for the lost, the people of our church that I had to stop and seek God for an attitude change. He is so faithful to us when we just ask, seek. He chose Job because He knew Job, He chooses….we WIN, we can rejoice. It can only get better, as bad as it gets, it can only get better.
I know that in my suffering, in your suffering we can rejoice because we would not be the people we are today in our walk with Him if it were not for this suffering. I don’t like it, but God uses every bit of it and in that I can rejoice, you can rejoice. We win there is no greater love, than the love of Jesus! Praise God for His sacrifice for His Spirit and His truth. thank you again Heather.
Praying for you,
In Jesus, we live
Elaine
Once again our family is in the midst of a crisis – not physical. I keep thinking we’ve had enough to share with many kinds of people in their trials, but God just keeps allowing more. I think I’ll choose to believe it’s because He trusts me to continue in faithfulness, and He is strengthening us. Thank you for these thoughts.
dawns last blog post..Life and Times of Grandma Dawn
What a great message and one I really needed to hear today! Thanks for sharing.
Hugs!
Kat
Kats last blog post..SO WORTH IT!
…by leaning on His provision for my family’s every need. He has shown Himself faithful!!
I only wish to add this, Heather. May I never be a Job’s friend to you. May you never be surrounded by Job’s friends, but instead, by people like Job, who trust God.
Holly Smiths last blog post..The Other Kind of Amazement
Job is my absolute favorite book of the Bible (if you want to read some absolutely stunning stuff, read Job 38. It’s just pure poetry to me, and some of the most beautiful poetry I’ve EVER read in my life). It deals with a lot of issues that are happening in today’s world, just in different ways, in a very realistic manner.
Who among us hasn’t questioned God or gotten angry at Him? Yet, God doesn’t abandon us during our moment(s) of anger. He may not be really happy that we’re angry, but he doesn’t abandon us, either. I take a lot of comfort in that.