Today's post is taken from a devotion in The New Women's Devotional Bible.
"Sometimes faith is just hanging on in the dark."
These words, spoken by a wise woman, were offered as solace to a suffering friend. Sometimes things just don't make sense. Sometimes we can't even manage to utter a prayer. In those dark nights--when life seems to suffocate us with sorrow--faith compels us to hang on. We've seen that Job, who suffered great losses, felt that way.
Think about it. We know the conversation God had with Satan at the beginning of this account, yet we are still appalled by the tragic events of Job's life. Job had no idea that Satan was tempting him because God was allowing his faith to be tested. No wonder Job reeled from his losses and grasped for answers. We can feel the pain and desperation in his voice when he cried, "Oh, that I had someone to hear me!" (Job 31:35) But throughout his trial, throughout his test, Job knew the Almighty was listening.
Have you ever felt that way? Perhaps your heart's cry surfaced in a winter season of your life--cold, dark, and endless. You may be in that barren season even now, with no one to offer you comfort or relief. Allow Job's words to comfort you as a fellow traveler on your journey: "Let the Almighty answer me!"
Job recounted his actions based on his heart for God, although he never knew what had happened in Heaven to instigate his suffering. While we may learn God's reasons later (sometimes only in eternity), for now all that is required is for us to "hang on in the dark" until God's light illuminates the way again.
The New Women's Devotional Bible
Zondervan
