We recently came across this devotion which really rang true to what our family went through. Especially at the end when it said, "He’s just stretching you, teaching you new truths, refining your character, or deepening your faith." Our faith was tested like never before. God taught us so many new things during this process. We saw God's hand work in ways we had never seen before. He definitely "brought us to a place of greater blessing."
Daily Devotional 5/13/2009 3:00:00 AM
“Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:8-10 NKJV
Tested
Job didn’t fully grasp what was happening in his life. He once had been successful and prosperous, yet for reasons he could not understand, he now was experiencing great loss and suffering. He once had been the envy of his neighbors, but now he had become a laughingstock. However, he came to recognize that he was being “tested.”
His friends, on the other hand, were quick to analyze and judge. They immediately blamed Job for his problems and didn’t stop to consider that the Lord might be trying to accomplish something in his life.
But Job continued to focus on God. Here in chapter 23, he was frustrated because he could not “perceive” or “see” God. Yet he sought to understand what the Lord was trying to teach him.
As we journey through life, we, too, may go through times of testing. James encouraged us to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-4). The Bible tells us that God allows trials because He wants to refine and perfect us like gold (Proverbs 17:3).
When you go through trials and tests, remember to seek God. Ask for His insights on what He’s working to accomplish in your life. It may be that you’ve sinned or drifted from the proper path. But it’s also possible that He’s just stretching you, teaching you new truths, refining your character, or deepening your faith.
Call on Him for the problems you face. Have faith in Him, knowing that He wants to purify you, refine you, teach you, and bring you to a place of greater blessing.
Father, I commit my life and the situations I’m facing to You. Give me wisdom. Show me if there’s sin in my life. I will cooperate with You in the refining process! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: Job 23
Daily Devotional 5/13/2009 3:00:00 AM
“Look, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; when He turns to the right hand, I cannot see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.” - Job 23:8-10 NKJV
Tested
Job didn’t fully grasp what was happening in his life. He once had been successful and prosperous, yet for reasons he could not understand, he now was experiencing great loss and suffering. He once had been the envy of his neighbors, but now he had become a laughingstock. However, he came to recognize that he was being “tested.”
His friends, on the other hand, were quick to analyze and judge. They immediately blamed Job for his problems and didn’t stop to consider that the Lord might be trying to accomplish something in his life.
But Job continued to focus on God. Here in chapter 23, he was frustrated because he could not “perceive” or “see” God. Yet he sought to understand what the Lord was trying to teach him.
As we journey through life, we, too, may go through times of testing. James encouraged us to “consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance” (James 1:2-4). The Bible tells us that God allows trials because He wants to refine and perfect us like gold (Proverbs 17:3).
When you go through trials and tests, remember to seek God. Ask for His insights on what He’s working to accomplish in your life. It may be that you’ve sinned or drifted from the proper path. But it’s also possible that He’s just stretching you, teaching you new truths, refining your character, or deepening your faith.
Call on Him for the problems you face. Have faith in Him, knowing that He wants to purify you, refine you, teach you, and bring you to a place of greater blessing.
Father, I commit my life and the situations I’m facing to You. Give me wisdom. Show me if there’s sin in my life. I will cooperate with You in the refining process! In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Further Reading: Job 23
