embrace
“But he knows the way that I take; when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
Job 23:10 ESV
When it feels like we are losing, God is merely pruning in order to make room for something new.
For Job, hardship was not a result of God’s neglect, but a refining season permitted by the Lord to purify and establish the man the Lord desired him to be. While he did not understand the cruel trial he was obligated to bear, Job knew his God and trusted His word.
Are you waiting in the unknown? Be encouraged, friend: God has not forgotten you.
He is not punishing you.
There is purpose in this season.
This will not last forever.
Difficulty does not cancel out God’s sovereignty. Allow the Divine Potter to have His way with you. He is irrevocably good (Ps 100:5). He cannot lie to you. (He 6:18). He cannot sin against you. And He will bring something good from it all, because that’s just who He is (Ro 8:28).
As we come to understand the will of God is to burn away all the muck from our lives, we will be better equipped to face our afflictions in the knowledge that they are only for a moment and God will never leave us to face them alone (2 Cor 4:16-18, Deut 31:6).
Jesus went through the unthinkable in order to pave the only way to God. His agony was our access and demonstrates we cannot go around our sufferings, we must go through them. Even when we don’t see the way we’re going, we can be confident and trust the Lord does. Rather than look for a way out, undoubtedly expect you will come out of this completely vindicated. He knows your sorrow. He knows your pain. He knows your sacrifice.
Your times are in His hands. Finish the course to which you have been called and press on towards the goal of resurrection life (Phil 3:13-14).
blessings,
makenzi
additional reading:
Old Testament: Job 19:25-27, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalm 34:19, Psalm 91:1-3
New Testament: Luke 22:42
reflect:
Is it a comfort to you to know the Lord knows your way?
centering prayer:
LORD, my times are in your hands. I will embrace this season and welcome it with expectant joy. For I know that my redeemer lives and while you have tested me, I too, will come out as gold. amen.
