Job's misery

I just read this for my morning feed from Word for Today, and I have to say it spoke volumes!

'Even today my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy in spite of my groaning. If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!...But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimse of him. But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me I shall come forth as gold... I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.' (Job 23)

I realised through reading this, that Job, a 'blameless and upright man, who fears God and shuns evil' (what God himself says about him!!) has been devestated with loss that he didn't 'deserve' all for the glory of God and to show Job's righteousness to Satan (as it says in the beginning of Job). Now I doubt that from where Job was standing it looked much like he was glorifying God or even much use to anyone... he was complaining and graoning and couldn't fathom what was happening to him. He wasn't exactly in a position to jump up and down praising God for all he's made... yet he does praise God in his situation, so often and so simply, by showing his dependance on God and longing for God even though he can't understand or bring himself to sing. He's lost everything but he still has God and knows it. He shows his trust in God even though he questions why God could do such a thing to him.

It reminded me of me actually! I have been looking everywhere for God recently, feeling churned up inside and very much like nobody can understand. I haven't really even tried to explain coz I can't. I've been praying to what feels like the ceiling and have missed God in my daily life. I've been looking to do the right thing, but feel completely clueless as to what God wants from me. I'm definite that God is hearing every word from my lips even if it feels to me like they're rebounding off the walls into thin air.

Another passage from Word for Today was from Psalm 55. And it's verse 22 that says, 'Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall.' And it's funny actually coz I was only reading this to my small group girls just last night and praying about it. It happened to be on a card in my Bible from where I'd moved all my stuff home yesterday and just shoved bits in my Bible for easy transportation. I'd taken everything else out but obviously missed this little bit of card!

Now, however unrightous I might feel, God says I am holy and blameless in his sight so he's not gonna let me fall! 'For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight'!!! (Eph.1:4)

Amen to that