Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 12:1-14:22
God, do You hear me?
Lord, do You see the mess I’m in?
Lord, what have I done wrong?
Have you ever felt like Job and said these things to God?
Just like Job, when tough times hit I begin to look over my life, thinking of the mistakes I’ve made and wondering which one caused this calamity.
Job had done nothing wrong. It was what he had done right that had caused his world to fall apart. God was so pleased with Job’s love and loyalty towards Him that He spoke like a proud father to Satan and said, “Have you noticed my servant Job?” (Job 1:8)
When hard times hit me personally, I do some soul-searching:
- Is there unconfessed sin in my life?
- Have I lived my life contrary to God’s Word? (One more reason it’s important to read the Bible)
- Do I have unforgiveness in my life?
If the answer to any of those is “yes,” I immediately begin ask God to help me correct that area and ask for His forgiveness.
And God immediately forgives me.
But,
The situation doesn’t usually change immediately.
Why?
- Maybe my sin wasn’t the reason for the trial.
- Maybe God was sending me ahead for someone else.
- Maybe there are consequences to my sin/rebellion/unforgiveness I have to walk out.
- Maybe there is something He’s teaching me that I haven’t learned yet.
Many times my answer to those three questions is “no” and like Job I want God to send me an email and tell me what I have done.
But maybe like Job, I haven’t done anything wrong.
Maybe God is proudly saying, “Have you noticed my servant Dianne?”
Maybe God has me on a special assignment.
I really don’t have the answers (the reason for all the maybes) but I know that I trust Him with my life. I can’t wait to get to the last few chapters in the book of Job so that you can see the faithfulness of God!
God allows hard times into our lives to…
- Grow us
- Correct us
- Cause others to know Him more.
You will hear me say this many times in the next year…
We are on this earth for two reasons: To know Christ and to help others to know Him
That’s it.
This world is not the party, that will be in heaven.
Blessings in Jesus!
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©2013, Dianne Guthmuller
Tomorrow’s Scripture Reading: Job 15:1-18:21
I too have asked these questions and now, thankfully, have drawn these same answers. Some can’t comprehend suffering for others’ sake or suffering for an entire lifetime, but I know these far too well. And knowing God has allowed these so that I will draw closer to him, find refuge in his arms, and trust him in all things – this means he loves me more than I can imagine and that he has a purpose for my life that will impact eternity. God bless your ministry, Dianne.
Sherri, what an amazing testimony to the faithfulness of God! Thanks for your encouragement!
Excellent!