Job 42: 4-6, Romans 5: 3-4

"You said 'listen now and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me'. My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore
I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes".(Job 42: 4-6)

This passage is taken from the book of Job which tells the story of a mans tests of faith.

Satan presents himself to the Lord, and the Lord asks him 'What have you been doing with your time?'. His reply is, 'Moving from here to there on the earth.'
The lord asks him if he has considered Job, a Blamesless man, righteous, and the greatest man in the East. Satan suggests that if he were to be set free on
Job's life that Job would eventually curse the Lord.

Knowing Job's faith the Lord says to satan, 'very well you may be set free on his life but not take his life'.

What follows for Job is a catalogue of disaster. Job looses all his live stock, his children and all that he had built up, following this his body becomes
covered in sores which are so painful he scratches his skin with broken pottery. As you can imagine Job cries out to the Lord in his grief, questioning why?, suggesting it would have been better had he not been born, and much much more. Job is in great turmoil even asking God to let him go as he fears he may curse him. Eventually God speaks to Job in a really powerful way, reminding him of all that the Lord is.

If you get the chance read chapters 38- 42, and you too will be stunned into repentance like Job. Job is shown and reminded how the lord has his hand on all
creation, and so has his hand over Jobs life. When I read all that the Lord is within the paragraphs of these chapters I too like Job was lead to repent.

So often we worry about this and that, and shout at God asking Him where He is, yet He is right there. How can we argue with a powerful, awesome, and Holy God. As Christians we have put our life in His hands and trust Him, yet how often do we challenge His ability to move, react, provide? Our greatest concern should be
whether we are walking within His will, because it is there that we walk in hope.

Take encouragement from Job's experience. If you are going through a tough time, hold on, God has you in His hand and His Spirit will lead you through even the toughest of times. It won't be easy, but stick with it, and know that this is probably a time for your spiritual growth and others. Never forget God is all knowing, all loving and all powerful, He is there and He can see the end even when you can't.

Suffering develops perseverance, perseverance character and character hope. (Romans 5: 3-4)

If you are struggling take time to read Job 38-42 and remember how awesome the Lord is and be encouraged that you don't have to fear or worry as God is the
perfect Father, provider and Saviour.

Food for thought!! Life will feel like a roller coaster, with its ups and
downs, but so long as it stays on the track it will reach its final destination!