Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – June 30, 2016
By Tripp Prince
If I go forward, he is not there; or backward, I cannot perceive him; on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him; I turn to the right, but I cannot see him. Job 23:8-9
In Job 23 we find some of the most honest and transparent words in the entire Bible. Rather than a song of praise celebrating the nearness of God, this is the lament of a broken man who is struggling to find God in the midst of his pain. Job simply cannot pretend all is well. He can’t find the strength to put on a happy face. He cries out from a place of desperation, sorrow, and fear. Yet in the two verses that follow, Job teaches us two profound truths about following God even when it is hard and he feels distant: we are never abandoned and we must seek to live faithfully even in the midst of our trials.
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come out like gold” (Job 23:10).
Even when Job can’t sense God’s nearness, he rests in the confidence that he is never abandoned or forgotten. Though we may struggle at times to sense God’s direction and presence, he never struggles to find us or care for us. It is in him that we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28), and this is true whether we sense it or not.
Our emotions can be tricky and misleading. They want to tell us things that feel right, but may not actually be true! When you are struggling in your faith, tell yourself things that you know to be true, even if you don’t feel like doing it. Remind yourself that God is with you (Isaiah 41:10), that he will never leave or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6), and that he loves you, even to the point of death (Romans 5:8).
“My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside” (Job 23:11).
The Christian life is often spoken of as a journey of faith. At times this journey brings great joy and delight, yet at times we are crippled with grief, sorrow, and doubt. In these moments Job reminds us that even when life is hard and painful we must continue on the journey!
One of the most helpful ways to navigate seasons of doubt and uncertainty is to live faithfully by what you know to be true, even if your emotions struggle to keep up. Commit yourself to a life of prayer and Scripture reading. Fellowship with other Christians and let the presence of Christ in them renew and refresh you. And above all, seek to focus less on your own needs and desires and instead love others just as we have been loved in Christ.
Prayer
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand; to be loved as to love; For it is in giving that we receive; it is in pardoning that we are pardoned; it is in dying that we are born again to eternal life. (Francis of Assisi)Application
How can Job’s words and example encourage you or a loved one struggling on their journey of faith?Related Reading
Jeremiah 29:11; Zephaniah 3:17; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:9-11Post/Tweet today
God is always faithful, so we must remain faithful even when we don’t feel His faithfulness. #WisdomHunters #findingGodWorship Resource
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Hello thank you very helpful Father God andJesus are great and wonderful
I need prayer request in my life
Dear Melissa,
Good morning. I am emailing you this morning (gwynne@wisdomhunters.com) to chat with you about your prayer request. We will be happy to pray for you and your concerns. Please keep an eye out for my email in your inbox.
We are so thankful that you are a fellow wisdom hunter!
Grateful for you,
Gwynne
The Book of Job is my bugbear! – Surely it’s a fable yet we’re supposed to react like it’s truth – I HATE to think of a God who sits around making pacts with the devil, indulging evil & playing with lives for a buzz. Job’s wife & family are wiped out but that’s fine as they’re ‘replaced’ at the end..?! – they’re just chattel in the story of a 𝒎𝒂𝒏, not real unique people.. I don’t find Job any use as encouragement – but it’s good if others do, & thanks for at least trying 😊 x
Try looking at testimonies of people who have experienced God or any miracles. Look at the Bible’s credibility from as many sources both Christian and non Christian. Idk if this will help honestly nobody should just believe in God just because their parents did so or thought them so.