A Plaintive Cry
Job 17 - 23
My Verse: "Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come near to
His seat" (23:3)!
Sometimes we do feel so very alone. There are times when You, LORD God seem far away or just not there at all! Job is in that place here. He is crying out to his LORD and one hears the pain and agony in this plaintive cry. We hear it because we recognize and know that great need Job expresses in his cry to You, LORD God!
Job then says, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him" (23:8,9). We feel that we are trying all that we know to do to reach You, LORD God during these times of great struggle. And yet, like Job we are unable to find You, we cannot see You, we do not feel Your presence!
And yet through all his misery; though the doubts plague him, the questions rise up, his friends badger him and he is miserable beyond measure - Job knows in the very depths of his heart that You are there. He knows that You mean only good for him
"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.
But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back? What He desires, that He does.
For He will complete what He appoints for me, and many such things are in His mind" (23:10-14).
This brings to mind a news clip I saw on the ravages happening in Africa. A little girl of about 7 was being questioned. She was terribly distraught as she had lost her whole family. But this little girl did an amazing thing. Though the tears were flowing and her heart was breaking she burst into this prayer to You, LORD God. She cried out to You that she knew You were always there and You, and You alone would take care of her. The words she uttered were wise way beyond her years and they made me weep. Her simple, steadfast and powerful cry to You was so incredibly moving! Then with the tears still steaming down her face she smiled this most beautiful smile into the camera!
Oh Lord God to have that kind of grit! The seeming silences are for Your purposes. Though I may doubt and question I must ever look to You, for You are always there.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me" (Psalm 57:2).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
Job 17 - 23
My Verse: "Oh that I knew where I might find Him! That I might come near to
His seat" (23:3)!
Sometimes we do feel so very alone. There are times when You, LORD God seem far away or just not there at all! Job is in that place here. He is crying out to his LORD and one hears the pain and agony in this plaintive cry. We hear it because we recognize and know that great need Job expresses in his cry to You, LORD God!
Job then says, "Behold, I go forward, but he is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive him; on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him; he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him" (23:8,9). We feel that we are trying all that we know to do to reach You, LORD God during these times of great struggle. And yet, like Job we are unable to find You, we cannot see You, we do not feel Your presence!
And yet through all his misery; though the doubts plague him, the questions rise up, his friends badger him and he is miserable beyond measure - Job knows in the very depths of his heart that You are there. He knows that You mean only good for him
"But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my portion of food.
But He is unchangeable, and who can turn Him back? What He desires, that He does.
For He will complete what He appoints for me, and many such things are in His mind" (23:10-14).
This brings to mind a news clip I saw on the ravages happening in Africa. A little girl of about 7 was being questioned. She was terribly distraught as she had lost her whole family. But this little girl did an amazing thing. Though the tears were flowing and her heart was breaking she burst into this prayer to You, LORD God. She cried out to You that she knew You were always there and You, and You alone would take care of her. The words she uttered were wise way beyond her years and they made me weep. Her simple, steadfast and powerful cry to You was so incredibly moving! Then with the tears still steaming down her face she smiled this most beautiful smile into the camera!
Oh Lord God to have that kind of grit! The seeming silences are for Your purposes. Though I may doubt and question I must ever look to You, for You are always there.
"I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me" (Psalm 57:2).
Ditat Deus - God Enriches!
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