GOD, ARE YOU THERE?
- Key Verse
- "Job continued his discourse: How I long for the months gone by, for the days when God watched over me, when his lamp shone upon my head and by his light I walked through darkness!" (Job 29:1-3)
READ THE CHAPTER
Central Truth
Our natural tendency is to think that God watches over us when things are going well, but that when disaster strikes, He has somehow blinked or is busy looking elsewhere. Job now feels that God is no longer watching over him because of what has happened to him.
Reflections
Why? When suffering happens this is the question we ofter ask ourselves. This is exactly the question that Job has been asking God for the past 28 chapters.Just like in a courtroom drama scene, the arguments of Job and his friends are now being summarized by Job himself. Job looks back and awaits the final verdict.
I, too, have looked back and considered turning points in my past. It was almost twenty years ago that I was completely surrounded by the false sign of success, a flashy red sports car, which was now physically crushing my spiritually empty body. With one quick bang, my mid-life suddenly became a major crisis.
Awaiting rescue, I was haunted by a past question, "Are you a Christian?" I felt totally helpless with the knowledge of only memorized prayers learned as a youth. "Does God even hear me?" I asked. CRASH... through the car's back window came an angel. A Life Flight nurse came with life saving fluids and prayers. All fear disappeared. I was stripped bare to the realization of the importance of my eternal needs versus my earthly wants. Totally broken, I knew that I had to abandon myself entirely to the will of my Father God. It took another decade to fully commit myself to be "all in for Jesus." I was no longer counting on what I did ... I was completely counting on what He did and would do for me. The peace and freedom that came from that moment has been life changing. I am no longer alone.
You may be longing for the past. For missed opportunities, for health, wealth or relationships that are no more. But God has not left you. You may feel that you no longer have the intimate relationship with God that you once did. But you do not need to look back to the past for that, except to look back to the cross. God is in your present and your future, no matter what you may be going through right now. For what can separate us from his love? No one and nothing.
Discussion Questions
1. God's intimate friendship blessed Job's house. Do you have that kind of friendship?2. Do you feel God has left you when you suffer? Explain.
3. Job looked back thankfully at the times when he was able to serve his fellow man. As you look back on your life, have you helped serve those in need?
4. Which question do you ask yourself in hard times: "Why is this happening to me?" or "Since this is happening to me, how can I trust and obey Jesus better as a result of it?"
Comments
The views expressed under “Comments” are solely
those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Hill Country Bible Church NW.
Chip Smith
April 8, 2010 04:52 AM
I think it is a natural inclination to look back on good times when going through bad, especially without the hope of the resurrection. To long for the "good old days," which have a tendency to be imagined better then they really were. There have been times recently when I have longed for a loved one gone on and desired to go back and get a "do over." However, traveling back to the past can only happen in my imagination and thank goodness because I am "wiser for the wear." As I look to the past, I see God's hand shaping and molding me into the person I am today and having the knowledge that I have eternity to grow even better is a real comfort to me. I can make better decisions today and be more effective for the Kingdom because God was and still is working on me. Armed with this realization gives me vision for the future. And vision allows me to live in my present victory instead of my past defeat. Your log this morning, Ren, is an excellent one. Thank you. By the way, is that famous person's nickname, "Yogi" (not the bear) by chance? :-)
Mark
April 8, 2010 07:30 AM
how is uncle yogi? as we go through the rough times it is always a challenge to keep our focus on God and what He wants us to do and where He is taking us. Thanks for the reminder roomy and God Bless.
Mikaela S.
April 8, 2010 07:41 AM
Thankyou, Mr. Berra, for this log. During the bad times in my life I have been able to look back on the good times in my life and my blessings, and they give me hope. I didn't know you were married to a famous person!?
Mark Sutton
April 8, 2010 08:05 AM
Yes, nothing can keep us from the love of Jesus. I find that asking "Why is this happening to me?" keeps me stuck. It helps me to put this question to rest by knowing that I don't need to understand everything now and there are times answers are to be understood later. Later may mean when I get to heaven. Having the faith to obey God is hard and is my expected service. Thank you Ren for this mornings devotion. I am going to guess that the famous person you are related to is Jesus as you are his follower.
Dave McCoy
April 8, 2010 10:02 AM
Thanks for the reminder that God is always with us in all things. Great devotion Ren.
David Skeen
April 8, 2010 10:03 AM
I think this world is the minors; we're all waiting for our chance at The Show, eternity.
Brian
April 8, 2010 11:17 AM
Ren, I enjoyed your piece. Thanks for the encouraging words and applications.
Myra
April 8, 2010 02:25 PM
I enjoyed your words this afternoon. Thanks for the great reminder that God doesn't blink. I needed it.