Christian Devotional – November 29, 2016

Read Job chapter 16

VERSE:

Job 16:12–All was well with me, but he shattered me; he seized me by the neck and crushed me. He has made me his target.

TRUTH:

Job is speaking here and he is giving his perspective on what happened and how he feels God has responded to him. Job feels like everything was going well in his life, but then all of a sudden, out of nowhere, God took him and broke him. Everything that he had was shattered and crushed. Job doesn’t understand why these things happened to him. Anyone who has been in a position to lose the things they hold most dear can’t understand why God would allow something like that to happen. God answers Job in the later chapters and addresses this very question. But essentially, God knows what is ultimately for His glory and for the best. We do not understand the big picture that God sees and we can’t know how what we are going through will impact others. Job would never have realized that his story would be read by millions, if not billions, of people over the generations to encourage people who have gone through difficulties. Will we still trust God even when we go through difficult times, even when we feel that God has shattered us? He is still right there with us throughout everything, working within His perfect plan.

RESPONSE:

Father, I don’t know Your plan and I will admit that I get angry and frustrated with what I see happening. I don’t understand it and I don’t always like it. But, I love You and I know that You have a purpose for everything that You bring into my life. Take my life and use it as You see fit. I know that You are moving with purpose, so use my life to accomplish Your purpose.