Job 7:8
“The eye of him who sees me will no longer look at me; Your eyes will be on me, but I will not exist.”
As believers we will go through tough times. Hebrews 12:6 says, “For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises every son He receives.” That’s it. Just like a parent discipline a child for his good, so does our Heavenly Father. We can look at the tough times we encounter as God’s working in us.
This took time to figure out. I didn’t make the connection between hard times and God’s hand. I Peter 4:12 comments on that, “Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial that has come upon you, as though something strange were happening to you.” I was surprised. I still don’t always make the connection
I can remember taking things hard. My last big one a couple of years ago, I was surprised that God didn’t rescue me the way I thought He should. I thought for sure He would. It wasn’t to be. I had to change my attitude and go with it. This year feels different. I feel Him bringing me out of it.
It is nice to get beyond our own expectations. As His children we learn that we learn at times we have to give up our expectations. The path that we thought was ours wasn’t. They get easier to give up. We learn that His ways are better than our ways, (Isaiah 55:9).
It’s a pleasure to give up our rags for His riches. We have the greatest life coach. Our ways pale in comparison. What an honor to be tutored and led by God. Our efforts are mud huts, while the ones He makes for us are glorious structures. We gladly go the humble routes He chooses. The reality in heaven is a mansion.
Like Jobe, we will go through tough times. We ignore the humility and praise Him for what He’s doing. The world doesn’t get it. That’s ok. They’ve abandoned God. They don’t get Him. Like Pilate was didn’t understand Jesus’ silence and little concern for his earthly power, so the world doesn’t get that we trust God with our lives. Thank You, Lord, that You’ve got us.