God’s presence in times of trials

I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance. Job 42:2-6

Job “...was blameless—a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil. (Job 1:1). Yet, despite this description of Job’s love for God and his diligent obedience to His commands, he went through tremendous trials. While going through these difficulties, he thought he had a great grasp of who God was. The blessings that he enjoyed before he went through hardships in life did not give him a full perspective of God’s character. There were important characteristics of God that he would only discover when he went through difficulties in life. He went through testing in life so he could have a clear grasp of who God was. Although Job lost everything he had, his seven children, his wealth, and his health yet from the text he discovered that God was still with him. When Job was confronted by God though he faced the most difficult and puzzling sufferings imaginable, he came to understand that God was infinitely wiser than he was (Job 42:1-4). Job knew that he could not stand the wisdom of God and the only way he would endure the trials in life was to understand that God is absolutely trustworthy. He learned much about God through his grief. In the end, he came to a realization that God’s presence was not only felt and visible when things were working well in life. All the while, God was there and present even in the midst of his sufferings. “I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes” (Job 42:5). It is only through times of trials that the Lord reveals His character in ways we never knew. This is why God gave us the gift of faith so we could experience His strong and comforting presence. Like Job, we will learn that our Lord is with us and He lives for His presence is with us. “But as for me, I know that my Redeemer lives, and he will stand upon the earth at last” (Job 19:25). It is only by faith that we see God clearly when He takes us through trying times. Like Job, we must confess our sin when we throw accusations to God that He is unfair in treating us when we are going through trials in life. We must accept by faith that everything that God does is right including the trials He allows for us to go through in life.

Blessings,

Noel De Guzman

www.my-wbc.com