Job 23: Many times I shy away from the book of Job. Today it captured my heart because he speaks were many of us have been and maybe some are right now.

Job 23:8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,
and backward, but I do not perceive him;
9 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.
10 But he knows the way that I take;
when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.
11 My foot has held fast to his steps;
I have kept his way and have not turned aside.
12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;
I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

There are just some times that we feel like we are doing all we know to do and yet we don’t see clearly the path He wants us to take. I have thought about this the last few days. Job was faithful and yet the cost to him in his testing was severe. Where do you run when these sad times come? What path do you take when you do not have a clear next step? Job was sitting in a disease ravaged body, having lost his children, his wealth and now his friends turned on him assuming that he was sinful. Yet Job is almost in disbelief thinking “You know me better than this. I love the Lord and worship Him.”

My heart goes out to many who right now are struggling. A single mom who always wars with financial struggles. I barely know her, but to read her updates on fb it breaks my heart. I call out to the Lord on her behalf begging Him to bless her and help her. I see others going through physical struggles. One friend has been through cancer and is still struggling from one doctor’s visit and surgery to the next. Over and over there are people longing to walk with God and yet sorrow meets them.

If these words describe you, hold on. You too are being tested like Job. I don’t have all of the answers of why. I do know this. If you will hold on you too will come out refined as gold. Keep your feet to His steps. Keep your heart undefiled. Job expressed heart ache and frustration, but his faith remained. I pray this for you my friend. Hold tight. Don’t give up. You too will find His strength to be enough. Until then, this friend is praying for you to know the right next step.