Friendship with God (Part 5) -Job & God Job 42:2-5 2I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. 3 You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. 4 You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ 5 I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. This is Jobs response to God after a very difficult, tragic season in his life. He wrestled with God, he complained, argued, cried, questioned, asked to be left alone, etc. Doesnt this sound like many of us in our confusing, desperate times? We complain, argue and often push our friends away. But at the end of the day, or the process, you hug it out, make up and all goes back to normal. Not many people can say they have seen God with their own eyes. God had already thought very highly of Job and looked favorably over him above all the other men on earth in the beginning of their story: Job 1:8 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless, a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil.” God and Job had an amicable, respectful relationship. Job honored God, God honored Job. But God wasnt satisfied. God wanted Job closer. Some friendships will need to endure quite a bit of stretching. Some friendships will be tested in the areas of trust, integrity, honesty, loyalty. Those tests have the potential to tear a friendship or strengthen it. We decide what to make of it. Among the traits God honors most are honesty, transparency, vulnerability. Its so important to him that you can be completely real with him, to not withhold your thought process, your emotions, your concerns from Him. Job certainly didnt. While his friends tried to spiritualize his entire situation and make a case for God against Job, Job simply approached God directly with his pain and anguish. It was during his tragedy that he discovered that he could truly come to God and genuinely confide in Him as a friend. It is very possible that your friendship with God has been quite rocky, that it has been marked by suffering, tragic loss, trial. And maybe youve questioned whether its even worth it. You can be completely honest with God. You can bring your complaints to him. But stop to think about the fact that in this time of confusion, frustration and pain, He is drawing you closer to Himself, letting you know you can truly confide in Him and be completely real in His presence. Watch your friendship with God blossom as you decide to open up in honesty, brokenness and vulnerability. And let Him open up to you, bringing the much needed comfort, healing and restoration your heart longs for. God reciprocated Jobs trust by honoring Him and rewarding Him greatly for enduring the test! Just like Job, dont give up on your friendship with God, dont quit, dont give in to whats easier, dont push Him away! Stick to the process. God hasnt given up on you!!! Find you on my knees youtu.be/N8EzB0yWqxk
Posted on: Thu, 18 Dec 2014 17:36:17 +0000