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You’re reading Scripture but it just feels like empty words. You can’t see God anywhere you look. Abandoned. Defeated. Alone. Those are the words going through your head.
I think we all have fleeting moments of these feelings. Sometimes, however, we get stuck there. Instead of passing through, we unpack and move in.
During seasons of darkness, we need the light of truth more than ever. Truth doesn’t always feel true, you know. And it especially doesn’t when we’ve set up camp in the land of ‘nobody understands’. That’s why I believe that we must do two things when we find ourselves there.
We must continue to read, speak, and hear truth even when it doesn’t feel true. And we have to surround ourselves with people who will speak truth to us.
Can’t See God Anywhere
Remember Job? If anyone in the history of anyone ever walked through a season of darkness it was Job.
Often times, we can learn a lot from others who have been where we are but have made it to the other side.
God does the same thing for us. He “comforts us in all our affliction so that we will be able comfort those who are in any affliction with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” (2 Corinthians 1:4)
Look into this face of suffering (not actually Job) and read what hope Job gives us in our suffering:
But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
Yeah, he got it.
Looked everywhere for God – – north, south, east west – – and what did he say:
He is not there.
I do not find him.
I do not see him.
I catch no glimpse of him.
Then comes the light of truth…
BUT… Even though I feel utterly alone and abandoned…
BUT ..He knows the way that I take. I know God sees me, even though I don’t see him, I know he sees me.
AND…When he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.
I will come forth as gold. (Do you want to cheer when you read that like I do?)
Say it out loud right now – – “I will come forth as gold!”
He is not there. “I will come forth as gold!”
I do not find him. “I will come forth as gold!”
I do not see him. “I will come forth as gold!”
I catch no glimpse of him. “I will come forth as gold!”
If you are encouraged, like I am, by having truth around you as a reminder, you can find Job’s words below in printable form. When your circumstances make you feel like you can’t see God, remember that he can see you, and that gold is coming.
Gold is coming, friend.
.
Click here for lots more resources on growing faith, lessons from Scripture, and more!
Click here to print I Will Come Forth as Gold
Click here to print He Knows the Way That I Take
Click here to print Job 23 Full Passage
This post linked up at Moments of Hope
Job is among the most confusing books in the Bible. Starting with the fact that we don’t want to feel that we are just playthings for the Supreme Being and Satan to toss and turn at their whim. And, it grows from there.
But, as you well demonstrate, there are lessons therein that help us navigate the shoals of our lives.
Roy, It is a hefty book, to be sure! I’ve even noticed, at times, I’ll find what I thought was pretty solid advice and then realize that it came from one of Job’s well-intentioned but misled friends. 🙂 I get chill bumps when I read Job saying, about God, that “at the last He will take His stand upon the Earth,” and “In my flesh I will see God.” A great hope and promise!
That is a very powerful statement, so transformational and strengthening. Your faith shines through your words.
Thanks for your encouraging words, Tania. I have definitely gained a lot of strength and perspective shift from this passage!
“I will come forth as gold,” how beautiful!!
Sunday pastor Erika’s topic was “Who Gets to Tell the Story?” – so rich and inspiring!!
Peter said to him, “Since you have explained everything to us, tell us this also: What is the sin of the world?” , The Savior said, ” There is no sin, but it is you who make sin when you do the things that are like the nature of adultery, which is called ‘sin.’ That is why the Good came into your midst, to the (essence) of every nature, in order to restore it to its root.”
From the gospel of Mary, (who’s story was”cut out” about 400 A.D., what if her gospel had been included for the last 1500 years? Or even the last hundred, since its rediscovery in 1897??)
Blessings on your day!
Nadya, I’ve not heard of the gospel of Mary. I know that there were many writings that were not included in Scriptural “canon” for various reasons. I’m glad you stopped by and were encouraged today. Be blessed –
Beautiful passage, and thanks much for the encouragement 🙂
I’m glad you stopped by, Ruthanne. Thanks!
What a great blog. I love how you put links to Job’s words so I can print them.
You are very welcome, Martha! Thanks for stopping by.
I have felt the most faith in my hard times. I understand free will and I see everyday the guiding hand that has saved my sanity in very dark times. Enjoyed your post, very uplifting
Heidi, I’m with you that difficult times have grown my faith far more than the good times. Thanks for your encouragement!
I am a visual learner and this post is so good! Bless you! I’m your neighbor at Jaime’s this week.
Thanks for stopping by, Lora. I’m visual as well, and printables like this are such good reminders for me!
Hi, Susan. I loved your post and I’d love to have it for my Grace and Truth feature this week. However, one of the requirements for being featured is to have a link to the Grace and Truth link-up on your post. I love it if you could do that before Friday so I could feature you! If you do, be sure to hop over to my site on Friday to get your “I was featured” button. Thanks for linking up with Grace and Truth.
Thanks, Aimee. Done! (I also have a link to the party on my “Link-Ups” page)
Thank you for this wonderful reminder, Susan! Yes, I do want to cheer and get goosebumps when I read those words! The book of Job is my favorite in the Bible. It is SO rich with depth of meaning and hope (despite suffering!) for everything we face in our lives. I love that you highlighted some of the tremendous hope that many seem to miss in Job. Thank you for this encouragement today!
Your encouraging words made my day, Jerusha! Thank you so much.
I will come forth as gold! Thank you for these encouraging words today. No matter what I am going through today, God is there. He sees every step I take, even when I don’t think He does. 2 Corinthians 1:4 is a verse I use often for myself, and others when we wonder why we are going through the trials in our lives. Cheering I will come forth as gold!
That 2 Corinthians verse reminds me that keeping my past struggles, and victories, a secret is not God’s plan. He desires for us to bless others by sharing the lessons and wisdom He’s given to us. Thanks for the reminder…believe it or not, that was exactly what I needed to hear this morning!
Hi Susan,
The book of Job used to make me cringe because I couldn’t find balance – the pain of it was just too much. But somewhere along the line, it began to hold some of the Scripture that speaks most deeply to me! As a matter of fact, it is one of the main Scriptures I use in my new book coming out November 1st.
I love this post and love your ministry! Bless you!
Thank you for sharing hope alongside me at #MomentsofHope
Lori
Thanks so much for stopping by, Lori! That is a book I’d be interested to read, I will be watching for it.
This was just what I needed today, Susan. Thanks for giving me a scripture mantra to repeat over and over …
You are welcome, Susan. And please know that I prayed for you just now, and will continue to as God brings you to mind. He sees you–