Time with God

But he knows where I am going. And when he tests me, I will come out as pure as gold. For I have stayed on God’s paths; I have followed his ways and not turned aside. I have not departed from his commands, but have treasured his words more than daily food. Job 23:10-12

Having time with God is what mattered to Job. He experienced its value even after losing everything he had. This was what he expressed in his confession from the text. What was remarkable about his declaration was that he stated it while surrounded by those who accused him. That is exactly what happens when we do not neglect our time with God. Time with God takes place when we remove ourselves from the busyness of life and keep our appointment with Him who created and knows everything about us. This was what provided Job reassurance that though he was going through tough times, he will remain faithful to God. Though we may have met God during times of solitude morning after morning, suddenly there comes that one day, like none other, when His plan becomes clear. Understand, those extraordinary moments are the exception, not the rule. But do not doubt it, God longs to speak to waiting hearts; hearts that are quiet and still before Him. Even if Job is not able to resolve the mystery of his suffering, he is confident about God. He believes that God is aware of what he is facing, the trying path he is walking. He believes that God has a purpose that when the trial is over, he expects to come out of it as gold tried in the crucible, tested and pure (see also Job 16:17). Job is confident that he has kept his foot steadfastly on the path of God’s will, and not wandered off in self-will. He says that he has not deviated from what God has shown him to be His will. This admission is very significant for many cut corners and compromise under pressure. They take their chances trusting their own intuitions and their own agendas rather than standing firm in God’s truth. Just like Job, we can maintain positively an attitude of trust and dependence upon God when we value words from God’s mouth more highly than physical food for our own mouth. “Jesus told him, The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). This declaration of our Lord Jesus Christ is crucial. When the going is tough, many surrender and grasp at temporal preferences as more valuable than any regard for spiritual food. We were called upon to follow God’s example; “My food is to do the will of Him” (John 4:34).

Blessings