1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.
13 Now there was a day when his sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 14 and there came a messenger to Job and said, “The oxen were plowing and the donkeys feeding beside them, 15 and the Sabeans fell upon them and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 16 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The fire of God fell from heaven and burned up the sheep and the servants and consumed them, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 17 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “The Chaldeans formed three groups and made a raid on the camels and took them and struck down the servants with the edge of the sword, and I alone have escaped to tell you.” 18 While he was yet speaking, there came another and said, “Your sons and daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and behold, a great wind came across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell upon the young people, and they are dead, and I alone have escaped to tell you.”20 Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. ~ Job 1:1-5, 13-22
Have you ever felt really alone, like God isn’t hearing your prayers? Like maybe God has forgotten you and maybe doesn’t even want you anymore? Things keep going wrong? Your heart feels heavier and heavier each day? Memories that you once suppressed have resurfaced, and God doesn’t seem to help you deal with them? I’ve been feeling this way lately. Many nights and days in tears. Then, finally, I told my parents how I was feeling, and my Dad sat me down and encouraged me.
He reminded me that even though Job sacrificed on behalf of his children continually, all of his children died. Even though Job was righteous and ran away from evil, everything he had was taken from him. Job could have easily been discouraged. He could’ve easily claimed God abandoned him and forgot about him. He could’ve easily felt like God no longer wanted him because the very thing he was praying and sacrificing to protect was taken away in a single day, along with every other thing Job had.
During this time, God remained silent. Job cried out to God and received no reply. His friends sat and accused him, yet God still remained silent. Job’s own wife even told Job to curse God and die, and God still remained silent. God didn’t respond to Job until Satan had finished testing Job.
Each of us will be handed over to Satan for a time of testing. It won’t be easy. You’ll feel alone, forgotten, and even forsaken by God, but no matter what the enemy tries to discourage you with, God’s promises are True and steady to stand on. When we’re being tested, God remains silent so that He might see what is truly in our hearts. This is why we store up the Word of God in our hearts so that when God feels distant, we can encourage ourselves with His promises. We can cast down every word spoken against and take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ. Because no matter what the Devil throws at you or tells you, God has not forgotten you. God has not abandoned you. God has not changed His mind and no longer wants you. God loves each and every one of His creations and desires that all repent and come to the acceptance of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Dear LORD, thank You for never leaving me nor forsaking me. Thank You for wanting me and calling me to You. Thank You that even when I’m being tested, You are with me; even if I don’t feel like You are, You are with me always. Thank You, LORD, for loving me and wanting me. Please help me to hold fast my integrity no matter what great I must stand. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.
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