In Troubled Times, Turn Your Why To Worship
Thursday, May 2
Job 1:20-22 (NIV)
“At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.” In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing.”
Devoción
In Job 1:6-13, Satan, the accuser appears in Heaven before Jehovah presenting a controversy that led to an onset of suffering for a wealthy, pious man of God named Job in the land of Uz. Not long after, experiencing a sudden series of catastrophes, Job loses his family, fame, fortune, and health.
Satan’s testing uncovered Job’s piety. In his grief and loss, Job blesses the name of the Lord. Through it all, Job steadfastly acknowledges God’s sovereign right to give blessings, and take them away, as He sees fit. Did Job question God why He allowed his suffering? Of course, he did, but when he was in God’s presence, Job’s “why” melted into humble worship.
What would happen if suddenly you have a Job-like experience? A shattered relationship, loss of a job, death of a loved one, and a health crisis. How would you respond? When you’re faced with trouble and asking why, remember when our faith is severely tested in a furnace of adversity, it is not to ruin us but to define us.
Job learned to endure suffering by finding hope in the Lord. In Job’s restoration and faithfulness, God doubly blessed him. Job wrote his story three years after his trial, not in the middle of it, so we would know the full story of God’s grace. Today Job’s story of suffering helps us to embrace and trust the God of all comfort.
Last Sunday, Pastor Jentezen encouraged us not to “Die in the why,” but to allow the story of our wounds and recovery to illuminate the darkness for those in tribulation to know “all things work together for those that love God” (Romans 8:28).
Oración de hoy
Querido Padre Celestial,
By faith I consider it wholly joyful whenever I’m enveloped in or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations. It is then that I’m reminded to rest assured and understand that the trial and proving of my faith brings out endurance, steadfastness, and patience. Thank You for imprinting Your laws upon my heart and inscribing them on my mind, and delivering me from every evil work. Help me to bring light and love to Your everlasting Kingdom. Every day, with its new reasons, do I praise You! In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.
Aplíquelo hoy mismo
The writer of Hebrews instructs us, “Take care that no one falls short of God’s grace and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and so defile many.” (Hebrews 12:15) When you are in a difficult circumstance and it is unclear what God’s purpose is, don’t “die in the why,” but be faithful through it so that you can become a light in the darkness for others facing difficulty.
Recursos:
- Sometimes it’s hard to find anything positive when we are walking through tough situations. Allow Pastor Jentezen’s message, “The Blessing Is In The Breaking”, to give you words of wisdom for those times.
- Read 1 Peter 1:6-9 and find words of encouragement for walking through your hard times.