“Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; When he works on the left hand, I cannot behold Him; When He turns to the right, I cannot see Him.” (Job 23:8-9)
Where is God in the tough times of life? It’s an age-old question. Job was sitting in sackcloth and ashes searching through the rubbish of his life, trying to come to terms with God’s continued presence, power, and promises in his life. This God-fearing man had lived drawing near to God. But things are different now – the worst of times had come his way. The type of suffering that we would describe as unbearable had knocked on the door of Job’s life, and from his weary mind had entered in and come to stay. But we find Job doing what he has always done, trying to stay close to God. Job’s search for God in this miserable experience was not easy, but he pressed on in his search to know what God was up to. What we have come to understand, and even celebrate about God, can be hard to hold on to in the tough times of life. But this is what kept Job pressing forward to remain connected with God. This righteous man understood that in the fulness of God’s presence we can expect Him to furnish the strength and comfort that is needed to get through the nightmare experiences that can come our way. Child of God, don’t forget there is fulness in God’s presence! VHH