|
23 - Confidence in the Tough Times
Job 23:
9 God has been at work in the North and the South, but still I have not seen him.
10 Yet God knows every step I take; if he tests me, he will find me pure.
11 I follow faithfully the road he chooses, and never wander to either side.
12 I always do what God commands; I follow his will, not my own desires.
13 He never changes. No one can oppose him or stop him from doing what he wants to do.
14 He will fulfill what he has planned for me; that plan is just one of the many he has;
15 I tremble with fear before him.
Good News Bible
Job has been complaining that he cannot find God's presence anywhere, as he used to before this terrible test began.
Then this courageous man of God begins to state his faith. He is certain that even though God seems to be absent, Job is sure that God knows every step that Job takes. Job is beginning to understand that this calamity is really a test to see
 what he's made of in his character and
 where his faith really resides.
Is Job a flaky fair-weather believer, or is his faith genuine through and through?
Is Job just someone who obeys God when life is favourable to him, or will he still obey God when everything falls apart?
Job states his determination to continue to obey the Lord as he has always done in the past.
Then he boldly declares that God will certainly fulfill all God's plans for Job.
Job bows in reverential fear before God in total trust.
Are you at the place where you can state your faith in the Lord as boldly and courageously as His servant Job did so long ago?
Remember that Job's test did come to an end: so your test will end also.
Therefore you can make the decision today to be like this ancient servant of God, and trust God even though God seems to be absent for a season.
This is how the book of Hebrews puts it:
Heb 10:
35 Do not lose your courage, then, because it brings with it a great reward.
36 You need to be patient, in order to do the will of God and receive what he promises.
37 For, as the scripture says, "Just a little while longer, and he who is coming will come; he will not delay.
38 My righteous people, however, will believe and live; but if any of them turns back, I will not be pleased with them."
39 We are not people who turn back and are lost. Instead, we have faith and are saved.
Good News Bible
Prayer:
Father today I renew my confidence in You, because I have set my heart on receiving the reward You are offering me if I keep patient and receive Your promises in full.
Thank You for the privilege of having faith and coming through this season victorious in You,
in Jesus' name,
Amen.
|
