More than a dozen years ago, the Lord laid it on my heart to write devotions on a weekly basis. I enjoy this writing process; capturing daily life moments and relating them to Scripture. Countless blessings have been showered on me and my family over the years because it’s God’s nature to bless His children. However, I’ve also experienced much hardship including disease, death, abuse, divorce, slander, and fractured relationships.
These painful and oftentimes unexpected life circumstances have taken me to places I never wanted to go. I’ve questioned my faith in God. I’ve cried out to my heavenly Father, begging for understanding and the strength to not fall apart. Curiously, the Holy Spirit has not given me complete understanding and I’ve definitely fallen apart. Through it all, Abba has been my Faithful Friend, never leaving my side. Even when I thought I was alone, He was there.
Job also questioned God. His friends came to comfort him and then turned against him; criticizing, condemning, and judging him from a flawed human perspective. They had no idea what he was going through and wanted to fix the situation according to their timetable and limited understanding. At the end of the book, though, God answers Job in a way that is powerfully comforting.
Job 38:1-18
Father God, I vividly remember fearfully questioning You; thinking You were going to punish or even kill me for my unbelief and sorrow when the world I’d so carefully cultivated crumbled into dust. I believed that if I worked hard enough at pleasing You; You would continue to bless me. I was shocked, when in the midst of the rubble of my life, I found unconditional, perfect Love and Friendship with You. You, Who created everything seen and unseen, desire an authentic and intimate relationship with me. You don’t fit into any religious, man made box, and You never will. Thank you for sending Jesus to rescue me. I’m Your daughter; the daughter of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Amen.
But now, this is what the Lord says—He who created you, Jacob, He who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Isaiah 43:1-2