Category Archives: Job

Where Is God?

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Some days are harder than others. Some days Jesus seems so far away. Everyday life intrudes on faith and makes it seem impossible to draw near to God. Some are so busy with jobs and careers they cannot seem to find a few moments with the Lord. It’s not that they do not want  to be with Him, it is just that they cannot find the time. Others have time but have lost the desire. What’s happening and how can it be fixed?

Let’s keep in mind that God is not far from us. The Lord is near to all who call on him in truth, writes the psalmist (Psalm 145:18). He is a God that is near at hand (Jeremiah 23:23-24). So even on days when the world crashes through, God is not far. It may seem like he is far away but it’s really the busyness of the day that clouds our view.

Job thought God had forsaken him. His entire world crashed down upon him in a matter of hours. He lost his business, his belongings and even his children. Job was struggling. He asked, “Why did I not die at birth, come out from the womb and expire?” He complained more, “I am not at ease, nor am I quiet; I have no rest but trouble comes” (Job 3:11, 26). For Job, the man of patience, life had descended into swirling vat of pain and sorry.

What Job did not realize, and what we forget, is that God was never far. The Almighty was watching every move Satan made against Job. He heard every cry, every moan, from Job’s mouth. The Lord knew the grand outcome, he knew Job was growing and knew that he would remain faithful. The Lord knew Job’s struggles were a necessary part of his own divine plan. But still, Job was struggling.

It is important for us to see the Job story as a lesson for us. Just as Job did not know what was ahead, just as the days looked perpetually dark, God was near. Although Job, and we, think we are alone, we are not. Struggles are a part of the way of all men. For the faithful however, God is close at hand. But where  is he? How do we find him?

Eliphaz, a friend of Job’s, was roundly rebuked by God for his advice he gave Job during his struggles. But there was one thing Eliphaz said that was wise. In the midst of Job’ s struggles, Eliphaz said this: “As for  me, I would seek God, and to God would I commit my cause” (Job 5:8). This is a good first step in rediscovering the Lord of our heart. Pray, pray, pray. Don’t stop praying until you find that sweet spot before the Lord. Place your fears and your weaknesses before  him (1 Peter 5:7) and call on him for help.

When a child is born, mom and dad will carefully inspect every inch of their newborn. They will count fingers and toes, look for birthmarks and take note of every characteristic of the precious infant. God does likewise. But in his all-knowing power he even counts the hairs of our head (Matthew 10:30; Luke 12:7). You are loved beyond belief! The Father and Son want to be near and desire to be your friend. Where is he? He is near, only a prayer away.

When Job Saw God

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For your consideration:

“I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you…”

(Job 42:5)

Job is a favorite Bible character. He strength and character sustained through the darkest night. He lost his children all at once and lost almost all of his belongings at once. Only his wife and a few friends remained. His friends tried to convince Job of his own sin although he knew he had none. His wife advised that he “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). The God whom he feared had fallen silent.  Continue reading When Job Saw God →

2 Places at Once? How About 3!

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It’s been a steady rain almost all day here but tonight God rolled back the cloudy veil to reveal his magnificent heavens. As the clouds gave way to the inky black backdrop the stars and planets peaked through. I was reminded of a trip a few years ago to Guyana. There, in the darkness of the savannas, where there is little artificial light, the stars were simply ablaze.

A week or so before leaving on that trip I took my youngest two boys outside and showed them some constellations. The great hunter, Orion, stood watching just above our driveway and both boys were quickly able to recognize his shape. On this particular night I found a small payphone and dialed home. I told  the boys to take the phone outside and find Orion.

“I see it, there it is!”

“Are you sure?” I asked

“Yes! We can see it!” Came the reply.

“Guess what guys? I’m looking at it too!”

That may seem a little cutesy to you but it was a special moment. All of a sudden we were together again even though we were separated by 2600 miles! I was looking at the same constellation at the same time they were. It was special.

But tonight it occured to me that I was really in 3 places at once because not only was I sharing the moment with Noah and Nathan but with a suffering man named Job. He wrote twice of Orion:

“who made the Bear and Orion, the Pleiades and the chambers of the south?” (Job 9:9) and, quoting God’s question:

“Can you bind the chains of the Pleiades or loose the cords of Orion?” (Job 38:31).

When I look up at night I am seeing something that grabbed the attention of the ancients and even then they knew enough to give God the glory for his creation. The next time you step out at night and look heavenward into the starry host, give the glory to God. Job did.