faith

Even If

 

We’re studying Job in our family Bible study. I don’t think there can be a more appropriate book right now. As I look around me- my world close to home and the world at large and far away…there are so many hurting. Suffering. Reeling. Life hurts. Life changes. Life is hard.

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“Though he slay me, I will hope in him”

Job 13:15

I used to be paralyzed by fear – fears of death or suffering or loss of loved ones. Yet, as time goes on I am realizing instead of fearing what if, I am focused on even if. 

Because all too much I have seen lately that adversity is real. It comes even to the ones with the strongest faith. It comes to those with the weakest faith. It doesn’t pass over anyone. It is guaranteed at some point to come.

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And like Job, the reasons may not be understood, but what is understood is that God is still on the throne. He is still good. Suffering doesn’t change Him and who He is, but it will change us.

It will change us for the good if we allow it to be used for His glory.

Life isn’t for our comfort. It is for His glory. What looks hopeless is just the beginning of the endless hope and grace and love he offers.

Those things never run out. I can’t fathom that! His love, grace ,mercy, and hope will never run out. Suffering here on earth will eventually end, but what He gives, is forever.

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So I am starting to live less in fear and more in faith. I am focused less on what if, and now know that even if…

Even if this earth which gets darker every day, fails me…He is good.

Even if the suffering here seems too immense…He is more immense.

Even if the future seems too bleak…His future is full of HOPE.

Even if life doesn’t make sense…He is all we need to know.

Knowing God is more important than knowing everything. We may not understand the pain, but He heals. We may not understand trials, but He is the One who will walk through the trials with us.

We can’t walk around trials, but we must walk through them, trusting He knows. He loves. He provides.

Those Israelites– they walked through the sea…

And so will we.

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As I shudder at the sound of one more trial, one more tragic news event, one more unknown…

I am quickly reminded that each moment, good or bad, is an opportunity to glorify Him.

And I will do so…even if.

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And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 5:10-11


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1 Comment

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