Thursday, March 9, 2023

Trouble deepens our knowledge of God…

“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.”

Job 42:5

This passage of scripture comes from one of the most beautiful books of the bible. We all know the story of Job and how much he lost. Satan challenged God to allow trouble to come to Job’s life so that Job would no longer follow him. Oh, how Satan was wrong. Job lost his wealth, his children, and his health, but in the midst of all of his losses, he never charged God foolishly. After listening to the bad advice of a number of his friends, God told Job that he had to pray for them. Imagine that – the friends are feeling sorry for Job because of his trouble, but Job is actually the one who prays for them. Now, that’s another devotional!

By the time Job goes through all of the pain, loss, and suffering, he declares that he used to hear about God, but now he truly sees Him. His trouble created an opportunity to really see and know God. How many of you have heard ABOUT God, but trouble catapulted you to a new knowledge of God? Instead of talking about him in third person, you now know him more personally.

PRAYER: Lord, thank you for the pain that brought me closer to you. Never let me make bad use of trouble by feeling sorry for myself. Let me experience the joy of truly getting to know you more intimately. In the name of Jesus, I praise you. Amen.

Black, B. C. (2011). The Blessing of Adversity: Finding Your God-given Purpose in Life's Troubles. Tyndale House.