Loading... Job 29:2 - IN THE DAYS
Sunday, March 7th, 2010
Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;
Job is remembering the days when God protected him from evil. Job had obtained great wealth and Satan was unable to touch Job because God was protecting him. Job had now lost his wealth, his health, and his family. Job understood that something had changed and he wished he could roll back the clock to a better day.
What Job did not understand is that even though he had lost his wealth, his health, and his family, God was still protecting him. God did not allow Satan to touch the life of Job. Job was looking at all the things that he had lost and he did not realize that God was still looking out for him.
Is the glass half empty or is the glass half full? Are you living in the past or are you living in the future? Job was living in the past and trying to make sense of his current position based upon what had happened in the past. However, as long as Job was looking back trying to figure out where he was, he was going to be discontent. Job needed to look to the future so as to understand his current position. Job needed to understand that without God, he would be nothing.
As long as Abraham was focused upon his nice home, he never would have left to go sojourn in the Promised Land. However, once Abraham left his home, he now was subjected to new trials like famines and warring neighbors who did not want to leave him alone. Abraham constantly was afraid for his life. Life was not perfect for Abraham once he obeyed God. However, as long as he kept his eyes focused upon God, he was right where God wanted HIM.
What trial do you face that seems too big for you? Maybe you are about to lose your home because you cannot pay your bills? Remember that Jesus was without a home. Learn to trust in God to protect you and provide for you. Remember that the nation of Israel wondered in the wilderness for 40 years and God provided for their every need. It does not matter what your problem is, God is able to direct, protect, and provide for you.
Look to God and HIS everlasting arms. When you are facing a problem, you need to rely upon HIM and allow HIM to direct your path. Do not look back on your life and bemoan your lack of provision. Instead, learn to delight in HIM and watch as HE provides for you in ways you never thought possible.
Just as the trials of Job was for a purpose, so likewise your suffering has a purpose. Rather than think that God has forsaken you, start taking the time to thank God for the ways that HE is blessing you today. Learn to thank God for the ways that HE is protecting you, directing you, and providing for you. God desires to build your faith but you must allow HIM to first change your prospective.
It is easy to become focused upon the wrong thing. Faith is a journey that requires you to constantly be moving forward. The trial that you faced yesterday that God helped you overcome will seem easy compared to the next trial that stretches your faith even more. Every time you face a new trial, you must understand that you will have to be patient and wait for the perfect will of God to be done. Stop thinking about how things used to be and understand that God has you right where HE desires you to be today. Look forward and trust in God and you will soon understand God’s purpose for this trial in your life.