Tuesday August 4, 2020

Today’s Reading: Job 13:14-22

“Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him. I will still defend my ways before Him.”

Job 13:15

Meditation: In the midst of all trials, God is near to us. Even when we don’t feel the warmth of His Presence, we can trust that He is with us as we earnestly seek Him. Writer and Theologian C.S. Lewis likens the relationship between God and His people to that of a Father and His children. When teaching the child to walk, he says, the Father must sometimes take His hand away and lessen His support for the child. It’s the child’s opportunity to continue in the ways that He is being taught. No matter how much the child stumbles without the Father’s extra support, its willingness to persevere as the Father teaches it is enough to please Him.

At this time, Job is not able to feel God’s nearness. He is not experiencing safety, good health, comfort, or even answers from God. He is stumbling through his agonizing trials, unsure if he will survive them. But Job decides to rely on God still. He stumbles through questions of his own righteousness, as well as God’s Purpose, but he never questions God’s Presence with him. Job hopes in God, believing that no mater what, God will grant lasting deliverance to him. Rather than hide from God, Job stays in conversation with God because even though he does not feel God’s nearness, he knows God is near. And while we sit in agony with Job during his trials at this point, we will see later in his story that God does indeed work in Job’s life for his good, and that He has indeed been with Job all throughout his circumstances.

Even when we don’t understand either our trials or our God, we can still seek His nearness. We must continue to hope and trust in Him not matter what, for our hope placed in Him is never in vain. God never leaves or forsakes His people. Just as a love father remains with His child as it grows, so does God stay near to us.

Prayer: Lord, You are so loving and kind. Thank You for never leaving or forsaking me. Thank You for working even in my trials. When I struggle to feel Your nearness Lord, please bring to my mind the story of Your servant Job, that I would remember Your faithfulness, and continue to hope in You in all situations. In Jesus’ Name I pray, AMEN.

Thru the Bible in a year (credit: Biblestudytools.com): Acts 4:1-22; Deuteronomy 19-20; Job 13