Refined by fire, trusting a Big God.
“He knows the way I take, when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
-Job 23:10
This is an incredible verse. To realize that Job, after losing his house, money, children, and health, can still see the bigger picture! This has been a rough year for me in many ways, but I have to cling to the Truth that once this season is over, I will “come out as gold.” That simple statement is enough to keep me going, to continue to persevere and develop endurance that develops my character from the core, outward.
A devotional I read further expands Job’s revelation:
“The furnace may be hot, but not only can I trust the hand that lights the fire, I can also have the assurance the fire will not consume but only refine.” He allows these trials so we learn how to depend, or lean on Him. This is such a struggle for me. I keep fighting to be independent when I KNOW that I was created to rely and find fulfillment in my Creator.
WHEN I FEEL GOD IS THE FARTHEST AWAY< HE IS OFTEN THE NEAREST TO ME. In Psalm 142:3, David writes, “when my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way.” I don’t think God is every truly distant, but I do think He draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4), and we can better draw near to Him when we experience desperation and brokenness.
In connection to all this, I am reading a book about praying the names of God and I am currently learning about how God is El Shadday (EL shad-DAI). This means He is God Almighty. Or the literal translation is, “God, the Mountain One.” Mountains are powerful, constant and majestic. So is my God. This name of God is used 31 times in the book of Job. Why? Because Job needed to look at the Mountain of a God He follows and not the circumstances in his life that seemed like a mountain.
I was sharing all this with Jeremy and he brought up a profound connection. In Matthew, Jesus talks about if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Perhaps Jesus was talking about our God Almighty and that the prayers, love and faith of His children MOVE Him to act, respond and intercede.
In awe of our awesome God, Kate
“He knows the way I take, when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”
-Job 23:10
This is an incredible verse. To realize that Job, after losing his house, money, children, and health, can still see the bigger picture! This has been a rough year for me in many ways, but I have to cling to the Truth that once this season is over, I will “come out as gold.” That simple statement is enough to keep me going, to continue to persevere and develop endurance that develops my character from the core, outward.
A devotional I read further expands Job’s revelation:
“The furnace may be hot, but not only can I trust the hand that lights the fire, I can also have the assurance the fire will not consume but only refine.” He allows these trials so we learn how to depend, or lean on Him. This is such a struggle for me. I keep fighting to be independent when I KNOW that I was created to rely and find fulfillment in my Creator.
WHEN I FEEL GOD IS THE FARTHEST AWAY< HE IS OFTEN THE NEAREST TO ME. In Psalm 142:3, David writes, “when my spirit grows faint within me, it is You who know my way.” I don’t think God is every truly distant, but I do think He draws near to those who draw near to Him (James 4), and we can better draw near to Him when we experience desperation and brokenness.
In connection to all this, I am reading a book about praying the names of God and I am currently learning about how God is El Shadday (EL shad-DAI). This means He is God Almighty. Or the literal translation is, “God, the Mountain One.” Mountains are powerful, constant and majestic. So is my God. This name of God is used 31 times in the book of Job. Why? Because Job needed to look at the Mountain of a God He follows and not the circumstances in his life that seemed like a mountain.
I was sharing all this with Jeremy and he brought up a profound connection. In Matthew, Jesus talks about if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we can move mountains. Perhaps Jesus was talking about our God Almighty and that the prayers, love and faith of His children MOVE Him to act, respond and intercede.
In awe of our awesome God, Kate
posted by Kate at 10:55 AM
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