Tag Archives: Job

Learning to Trust a God Who Isn’t Mortal

Summarizing the Story of Job

I have always loved the book of Job; there are so many nuggets of wisdom that you can find if you dig in. This week, in my morning time routine, a phrase jumped out at me that I feel like can summarize the entire book of Job and help us to understand how God works. It’s this phrase: God is not a mortal like me. (Job 9:32)

God is not mortal or human like we are. He existed before we began, and He will continue long after we are gone. He does not need to rest, nor does He need to eat. He doesn’t get weary or tired or discouraged. He doesn’t fear anything. He made everything we see, including us. Because of all this, He’s not going to see the world the way we see it. He’s doesn’t operate on the timetables we set. We see the here and now; He sees eternity.

God is Not Mortal, Like Us

It’s so important for us to try to wrap our minds around this concept, that God is not mortal like we are. It’s such a crucial point to understanding our lives and how God works. If we don’t understand this truth, we are going to walk around in circles, frustrated, asking questions, and trying to make sense of what’s going on in our lives. It’s only when we truly begin to understand the vastness of who God is that we can begin to understand our smallness.

This shouldn’t discourage us; rather, it should bring us so much hope and encouragement because it reminds us that God is working in every detail of our lives. He’s working out a future for us that we can’t see yet. He’s moving people and events into our lives to prepare us for what’s to come. If we will allow Him, He will work in ways we can’t begin to imagine. He’s working for our future even now.

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 29:11

God is At Work In Your Life

God was at work long before you and I were ever born. Before you were born, He already had a plan for your life and every day accounted for.

You saw me before I was born.
Every day of my life was recorded in your book.
Every moment was laid out
before a single day had passed.

Psalm 139:16

The second part of that verse always blows my mind. “Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed.” Before we were one day old, God had every moment of our lives already planned out. That’s a crippling thought if we don’t trust God. If we do trust God, that’s the most encouraging thought ever. God knows exactly what is going on today, and He knows exactly what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s all part of His plan.

God’s Plan for My Life

There is incredible freedom in knowing that God is working today in my life, and it is going exactly according to His plan. His plan, not our plan.

The Lord will work out his plans for my life…

Psalm 138:8

I don’t know what you’re facing today, but this is your reminder that God is actively working in your life today, preparing you for your future. Trust Him. Trust the process. Don’t forget that He has planned every single day, and He will walk with you every step of the way.

More Encouragement

For more encouragement, check out my post, God’s Working on Your Behalf Today, or you can check out my book, Finding Free: 5 Simple Steps to a More Peaceful, Content, and Happy You.

When Trials Knock Your Feet Out From Under You

Job’s Humanity

I’ve been doing a study in the book of Job. Every time I read about Job, I am reminded how desperately human he was. The words that pour from his mouth show his humanness. There are so many verses in Job that are so accurate at putting grief and pain into words.

An example can be found in chapter three.

What I always feared has happened to me.
What I dreaded has come true.
I have no peace, no quietness.
I have no rest; only trouble comes.
Job 3:25,26

Don’t those words so accurately describe the feelings we have when we’re going through something that is just too much? As painful as Job’s story is, there is such beauty in his writing.

Bitterness of Soul

One of the verses that caught my attention this week comes from chapter twenty-seven.

I vow by the living God, who has taken away my rights,
by the Almighty who has embittered my soul—
Job 27:2 NLT

That phrase embittered my soul really encapsulates the feelings we go experience when we’re in the middle of a trial. The King James Version puts it this way:

As God liveth, who hath taken away my judgment; and the Almighty, who hath vexed my soul;
Job 27:2 KJV

The word vex means “to make bitter,” and embittered means “anger or resentment at having been treated unfairly.” If we’re honest with ourselves, isn’t that exactly what we feel when God allows us to go through something that tests us to the very core of our faith? We would never say it out loud, but at night when it’s quiet and we’re all alone, those thoughts come to the surface. We feel that God has treated us unfairly, and we don’t know if we’re going to get through what we’re going through.

Reminder for Today

I don’t know what trials you’re facing today, but I know a little about what it’s like to feel like God has forgotten you, like he’s turned his back on you. God got me through that dark time in my life, and you can read about it in the book I wrote. But I’m here to remind you today that this is not the end of your story. God will get you through this.

I am here to remind you that God has not forgotten you. He sees you, and he knows what you’re going through. You are not alone. I know it doesn’t feel like it, but he’s right there with you and he’s not going anywhere. He hears you and will answer you when you cry out to him.

For More Encouragement

If you’re are in a trial right now and feel so alone, check out our devotional You Are Not Alone. It’s a thirty-day devotional with readings each day and verses to remind you that you aren’t alone even in the midst of life’s hard.

You can also read my post Handling Trials.

Questioning God Doesn’t Help

Where Is God?

Job 23 finds Job in the midst of his suffering. He is desperately trying to understand what is going on in his life and where God is during this time.

Oh that I knew where I might find him (God)! that I might come even to his seat! (verse 3)

I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. (verse 4)

I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. (verse 5)

As you read these words, can you feel Job’s desperation? His greatest desire in the midst of his trial is to find God. He wants to argue his case before God. He wants to ask the questions that we all desire to ask of God when we are in a trial. Why God? Why me? What have I done wrong? Where are You? Do you see my pain? Do you care?

Will God Answer?

Job wants to ask God these questions; then He wants to hear God’s answers. What would God say? Job wants to know and be able to understand God’s answers. The next few words out of Job’s mouth give a really good picture of the wisdom that Job has. Job says in the first part of verse 6:

Will he plead against me with his great power? No… (verse 6)

The word plead here means “to grapple, to contend, to debate.” Job ponders– “If I was able to plead my case directly with God Himself and ask Him all my questions, would He debate with me?” Don’t miss Job’s answer. He answers for God– no. Deep in his heart, Job knows that even if he had a chance to talk to God about his pain and hurt that God would not use His great power to force Job to see things God’s way.

God Doesn’t Give an Explanation

Job recognized that God doesn’t owe us an explanation. Even if He did give us an explanation, our finite minds couldn’t even understand it. God is not going to fight with us to prove His point or debate with us. That is not how our loving Heavenly Father works.

Notice the next few words from Job:

Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. (verse 6)

Job understood that God was not going to debate with him to answer his questions. Instead, Job understood that God would simply fill him with strength to endure his trial.

We Won’t Get the Answers Now

As much as we want answers, I don’t know that it would change anything. I don’t even know if I would want to know. It could be painful. What if God told me right now why our church plant won’t take off– would I want to know? If God were to tell my mom why she has had a debilitating disease most of her life– would it make it any easier? If God told my dear friend why her precious grandson got cancer and passed away just weeks before his 20th birthday– would the pain be any easier to bear?

As much as we want answers, even demand them, God knows we probably couldn’t handle them. So until we get to Heaven, God just gives us the strength to handle what comes our way.

As for God, his way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: he is a buckler to all those that trust in him. It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. (Psalm 18:30, 32)

Photo credit: Jordan Whitt

Faithfully Stepping

Encouragement for Women on their Journey of Faith