Behold, I go forward, but He is not there, and backward, but I do not perceive Him; on the left hand when He is working, I do not behold Him; He turns to the right hand, but I do not see Him. But He knows the way that I take; when He has tried me, I shall come out as gold. Job 23:8-10
I enjoy traveling, especially if I can get off the highway and drive through little towns that avoid the "tourist trap" mentality. Sometimes, these side trips produce lasting memories. A few years ago, a friend and I drove from Illinois to Glacier National Park in Montana. Along the way, we camped in Medora, ND. Upon leaving town in the morning, I went back out the way we came in, thinking we could continue west. Unfortunately, we could only go east. I saw an exit for a "turn around" rest area. This little side-trip provided an absolutely amazing sunrise over the bluffs of western North Dakota. Sometimes getting lost produces long-lasting results.
I have to think that Job felt the same way. While He wasn't physically lost, he describes feeling like he's far from God. The Father can't be found, no matter where Job looks. I've felt that way a lot lately. I look all around and cannot see Him through the circumstances I face. I worship, I pray, I seek, but I cannot find. It's easy to become discouraged and to feel defeated.
But that's the good news. One thing I've learned, on thing Job realized, is that what we feel, what we see, is often not the truth. Just as I had to seek a place to turn around in order to reach my destination, we must constantly be searching--through Scripture, in song, on our knees. Our Father knows where we are. He knows, and when we come out of our time of pain and trial, He will have produced in us gold.
Read further: Psalm 139. Think about where God has you right now, then thank Himfor His eternal goodness.
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