“Job answered and said:
“‘Today also my complaint is bitter;
my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.
Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his seat!
I would lay my case before him…
I would know what he would answer me…
he would pay attention to me…
“’Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;
he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.
But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.
But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?
What he desires, that he does.
For he will complete what he appoints for me,
and many such things are in his mind.
Therefore I am terrified at his presence;
when I consider, I am in dread of him.
God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,
nor because thick darkness covers my face.'” Job 23:1-6,8-17
“I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” Philippians 1:6
Job’s emotional and physical turmoil, his agonies and loneliness, were held steady by absolute confidence in his Lord. Bitter complaint and groaning met the One who heard and answered. He knew God knew and was redeeming his hardship, that one day his testing would be completed. In darkness and silence and pain and dread, his unchanging Sovereign was working and would fulfill His plans.
There are unavoidable todays that grate and hurt and cause confusion. The heavy hand of sorrow, the fainting heart, loom and choke. There are seasons of a silent heaven, no answers or relief, of wondering whether God sees or cares. We say we trust His working, yet see no end in sight and lose heart. When we get weary, longing for resolution, our souls might cry for the Lord to finish His appointment for us. Indeed, we can trust that always, in His perfect way and time, He will. (Deuteronomy 28:23; Psalm 13:1-2; Habakkuk 1:2; Revelation 6:10)
Is this our hope? Can we take joy in the dawning day, no matter how frigid or silent? Is God our champion, and His sovereign and good arrangement of all things a fortress against life’s storm? We see now in a mirror dimly, but one day we shall see God’s completed redemption. Do we find substantial balm in this truth? Would we ask God for patience in expectation? Our confidence that this life is one large appointment preparing us for heaven can keep us steady no matter our circumstances. (1 Corinthians 13:9-12)
Lord, keep me faithful in my doing and testing, trusting Your ways, means, and glorious ends.
As the rain and snow 