Job Chapter 23. Don't Give Up.
Two things that jump out to me from this chapter is:
1. Job can't find God.
2. Job is terrified of what more God may have in store for him.
1. Job can't find God.
We all have shared such same feelings. We have been or are currently going through experiences in life and wonder where God is and why the pain in life has not ended. We wonder when God will show up and put an end to the turmoil. Where are you God?
We have asked questions or have heard people ask the questions:
-why am I struggling with this ongoing relationship you put in my path?
-why are we struggling financially? Why do we keep going through such financial difficulties? When will it end?
-why the turmoil at work? How long must I go through this?
-Lord, we lost our home!
-Lord, my family member wants nothing to do with us.
I have learned that life is a faith walk with God. It's the ability to believe God is present and in control despite our feelings or life circumstances. It's the ability to look at our present turmoils and say, “Thank you God that you are in control and you won't give me more than I can handle!”
1st Corinthians 10:13 says, “No temptation has seized you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted he will also provide a way out so that you can endure through it”
2. Knowing what we may have to face can be scary and terrifying. Many people would rather walk away from the Lord verses enduring through what has been placed before us. Whatever is laid before us, God is able to help us through it whether we sense his presence or not. Philippians 4:13 says, “I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.” I can't do this but God can help us whether we sense his presence or not.
What are we going through today? God is present and He will provide what is necessary to get us through it. Don't give up. Keep enduring by his strength and not your own.
Verse 12 stood out to me today from Job’s response in this chapter.
“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.”
As I thought about how Satan was the one behind all of the problems that God allowed him to cause in Job’s life, I also thought about how Satan was permitted to attempt to tempt Jesus. Satan tried to use and appeal to the physical needs of the human body. Jesus was tempted, but He never sinned. Just as Job, Jesus treasured God’s Word more than physical food. May we be the same way and hunger for more of God’s Word and less of what the world may have to offer.
Here are a few Scriptures that I reflected on today:
Matthew 4:4
But He (Jesus) answered, “It is written, “‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
John 4:31-34
Meanwhile the disciples were urging Him (Jesus), saying, “Rabbi, eat.” But He said to them, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.” So the disciples said to one another, “Has anyone brought Him something to eat?” Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me and to accomplish His work.”
Psalm 119:103
How sweet are Your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!