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- Oct 26, 2007
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My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary [food]. Job 23:11-12 KJV
You can almost hear the astonishment of Job’s friends when he declared his innocence. They might have been thinking that his divine correction was just about to be upgraded. It was clear they didn’t believe Job continued to follow God—maybe he hadn’t for a long time.
Job told the truth—they called him a liar. Job asked God why—they were offended that he wouldn’t just take correction quietly. Job told them they would say rude things—they said rude things.
Pain can cause you to say what you don’t mean, but it can also bring clear truth from a broken heart heard by a God who can lead you beyond the pain. He’s big enough to listen to your “why” questions. You probably won’t have an immediate understanding—you may never know—but sometimes you need to talk through the things you struggle with most and let God deliver comfort while you continue to endure.
Don’t give up. Don’t entertain the idea of rejecting God. Don’t be afraid to be honest with Him. Perhaps the hardest part of endurance is bearing with the misunderstandings of the well meaning.
Prayer: Lord, people can say some cruel things. When people don’t know what they’re talking about, help me to remember that You do.
You can almost hear the astonishment of Job’s friends when he declared his innocence. They might have been thinking that his divine correction was just about to be upgraded. It was clear they didn’t believe Job continued to follow God—maybe he hadn’t for a long time.
Job told the truth—they called him a liar. Job asked God why—they were offended that he wouldn’t just take correction quietly. Job told them they would say rude things—they said rude things.
Pain can cause you to say what you don’t mean, but it can also bring clear truth from a broken heart heard by a God who can lead you beyond the pain. He’s big enough to listen to your “why” questions. You probably won’t have an immediate understanding—you may never know—but sometimes you need to talk through the things you struggle with most and let God deliver comfort while you continue to endure.
Don’t give up. Don’t entertain the idea of rejecting God. Don’t be afraid to be honest with Him. Perhaps the hardest part of endurance is bearing with the misunderstandings of the well meaning.
Prayer: Lord, people can say some cruel things. When people don’t know what they’re talking about, help me to remember that You do.
