READING: Job 21-23
Sometimes I read the Word, and I think about whether I can fill in my name in the verses of the story. Today’s reading provides such an opportunity.
Job deeply wanted to defend himself before God, but God was difficult to find: “Oh, that I knew where I might find him, that I might come even to his seat!” (Job 23:3). Whether Job went forward, backward, to the left, or to the right, he could not see God (Job 23:8-9).
Job was realizing, though, that God was still working. He was using Job’s troubles to test him, to bring forth his faithfulness, to refine him. Job could not see Him, but still He was learning that God is sovereign even when life is incredibly difficult. Job would come out of this trial more refined like gold.
Here’s where I’d want to insert my name (or at least the pronoun referring to me). As Job evaluated his testing and recognized God’s refining, he was confident in his walk with his Creator: “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold. My foot has held fast to his steps; I have kept his way and have not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.” (Job 23:10-12).
Do I so walk with God that the pronouns of these three verses could relate to me? Have I followed in His footsteps? Or, have I veered aside, temporarily following my own way? Do I know the commandments of His lips? Do I treasure the words of His mouth more than food? Would I be willing to stand before God today? Would I trust Him if I lost everything like Job did? I pray I would.
Either way, what I know for certain is that God knows. He knows the ways I've taken, and He knows the ways I will take in the future. May He continue to refine me along the way.
ACTION STEPS:
- Put yourself in these verses and evaluate your own life.
- If God is testing you and you’re wondering what He’s doing, express to Him Your trust in Him. Let Him refine you.
PRAYER: “God, thank You that You’re present even when I can’t seem to find You. Refine me, Lord, for Your glory.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Job 24-28
