A Challenge Leads To A Response

Job, one of the most righteous men on the earth, was complaining to God about his life. He had lost his wealth, his health, his children, and all that he owned.

Posted on

There are times when we are challenged, and we choose to “sit on” our response.  Yes, we should think things through, and not be impulsive in our decisions, especially if they are major ones.  However, sitting too long can keep us on the same life circle–going round and round, never advancing and moving forward.

As I look at this picture, I see this woman looking out beyond where she is sitting.  She must be pretty adventurous and likes living “on the edge.”  How she got to that place, it’s not clear, but she is viewing what’s before her.

In our life, there are places that we arrive at, wondering how we got there! Sometimes, it’s our own bad choices, and sometimes it’s not.  There are things that make no sense at all, at times.  As a believer, what do we do when we are seeking an answer and we are not getting one?   We look up to the God who created us and has all the answers!  

Job, one of the most righteous men on the earth, was complaining to God about his life.  He had lost his wealth, his health, his children, and all that he owned.  It seemed like everything he believed, was even challenged.  This blameless and upright man of God became depressed and full of sorrow.  He sought counsel from his friends, looking for an answer to “why” all of this happened?  God was silent.

As you read through the book of Job, God didn’t reply until the end of the book. When He does finally respond, it says, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.”  (Job 38: 1)

The first thing I noticed about that, was that God was in the storm with Job.

  • When we are in a storm, God is alongside us during that storm.

As I was pondering this fact, I looked up other translations and here is what some of them said:

Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind.”  (Job 38: 1 TLB)

“And now, finally, God answered Job from the eye of the violent storm.”  (Job 38: 1 MSG)

  • When we are in a storm, know that the calm place is where God speaks from.
  • Even if we don’t know how we got to the place we are in now, God has placed Himself in that place of authority, over it.

God is always challenging us to be strong in the storm, even in the process of not being answered nor understanding. God was challenging Job and asked him, “Brace yourself like a man, because I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.”  (Job 40: 7)

When I read that, I thought, that’s not nice, God.  Isn’t that a little harsh?  I discovered a little later on, Job responded to His challenge in this way:  “I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you.  You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’  It is I–and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me.”  (Job 42: 2-3)  

God is challenging us to trust Him, even when we don’t understand.  Leave it with Him! God never answered Job’s questions!  He made Himself known to Job, in the storm.   The way we respond is more important than receiving the answers. 

If you are in a storm, or in a cycle of going round and round with making a decision, awaiting an answer, God is with you in your storm or in the delay. No matter what place we are in right now, His challenge is this:  Our response is to appeal directly to Him!  

When we respond in the way Job did, it resolved in this way, with Job saying, “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”  (Job 42: 5)

If we are still able to see God in all of our trouble, it’s a good place to be in.  It indicates that we haven’t run from Him, nor looked away.  Keep your eyes on Him, through the storm!

Eyes of faith and spiritual understanding will lead us to the place of accepting God’s plan for our life. That place is where God wanted to meet us all along.  He’s in that place of waiting with us.


UNBROKEN LOVE SERIES

You can find all of the Unbroken Love series posts by clicking the button below.

VISIT SERIES PAGE

The views and opinions expressed by Kingdom Winds Collective Members, authors, and contributors are their own and do not represent the views of Kingdom Winds LLC.

About the Author

Mary Beth Pecora, a faithful wife, mother, grandmother, friend, worshiper and servant leader, who loves life and loves people. More importantly, she passionately loves God and the fullness of who He is! For twenty-three years she has served in leadership positions within the ministry of Aglow International. Currently, she and her husband serve at The Secret Place--A Psalm 91 Ministry. It's a place for individual folks to come, be exhorted and prayed for, while being ushered to ministry stations within the room. They continue to serve monthly in the Prayer Room at their home church that they have been a part of for almost forty years. In April of 2022 they both received their Ministry License and were Ordained in May of 2023. She delights in encouraging folks of all ages within various walks of life. Her love of writing is now her passion, which led her to publish two books, "Restoration Explosion In The New Year," and "Navigating The Mysteries Of God." Above all that’s been accomplished and concluded, the BEST thing to her is knowing her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He is her everything—her very best friend. Visit: Mybelovedsvoice.com