God is the Answer
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“If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling! I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments” (Job 23: 3, 4).
Everything had gone wrong in Job’s life. He’d lost his children, his possessions, his business and even his reputation as a righteous man. Throughout all of this, God was silent.
“If only God would tell me why, it would be easier to take.” Have you ever said that?
But is this really what we need most? Would an explanation really help us with our pain?
From experience I know that we don’t need answers as much as a comforting presence.
Going through financial struggles? Ask for prayer
How much does success mean to you?: Getting over a business failure
We need the assurance that we’re not alone. We need hope that we’ll get through this and good will come out of it eventually.
This became very real to me when I thought I’d lost everything I valued in life. “But you haven’t lost me,” I heard God saying. Then I have what I need to get through this, I thought.
Many times God does not give us answers. He gives us Himself– for He Himself is the answer.
Job discovered this. “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you,” he exclaimed. “…and I repent in dust and ashes.” When he saw the greatness of God, he wondered, why did I ever doubt?
Dear Father, I want to trust you even when I don’t understand. I believe that you are lovingly and thoughtfully putting together this life-package for me. I want to know you in a deeper way.
Questions: Why is God silent at times when we suffer? Have you ever been in a situation where you thought that you had lost everything you valued?
About the Author Helen Lescheid
Tags: answer, ashes, assurance, business, children, comforting presence, dust, helen lescheid, job, pain, possessions, reputation
12 Responses to “God is the Answer”
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it is not for me to question why God is silent to me at the times I have suffered. I trust God.
I personally have been in a situation where I thought that I was about to lose everything I valued, beginning with my own life. This moment came before I re-newed my relationship with Christ, accepting Him as my Savior. And since, I do not question, ask why, I simply give thanks and praise. what i thought was of value here in flesh is not.
as long as i have God and my family i have everything
Amen Linda! I had to come to the conclusion you speak of in the last paragraph when I was faced w/my personal ‘crisis of faith’ many years ago. We are falable [spelling is off] but GOD is infalable!
Shernett, I have had you in my thots and on my heart since I read of your great loss. I can not imagine; but I do know you are living life knowing ‘one day in heaven!
What hope and promise, peace and joy will be found then!
[my little sister died when she was almost 12, while I was driving the car. I know she is waiting for me just as much as I'm longing to see her too]. But this loss does not compare to your loss.
May God surround you always w/HIS peace and may He speak words of comfort, and encouragement to you always.
Be blessed in your days dear sister
Andi
Hi Maggie. I am sorry you are having these doubts. The tone of your post would lead me to believe you have been hurt by something or someone. I think one thing you could be encouraged by is studying and coming to a realization of what it means when the bible says we serve a sovereign God. He has all things under His control. He does things for His purpose when He wants and for what reasons He wants because His way is perfect. If you ask why should we pray for someone or something if the end result has already been ordained? It is because He commands us to pray (Philippians 4:6-7 also read this http://www.gotquestions.org/why-pray.html). It is kinda like saying why should we share the gospel if those who are chosen to be the elect are already ‘guaranteed’ the kingdom of heaven. It is because he commands us to. Trust in Him. Trust in His perfect will. Trust in the bible. God doesn’t wish anyone go to hell. He doesn’t find joy in that.
As for the Focus on the Family issue. You are right in saying Jesus doesn’t want us to turn anyone away. But I think you are taking the proposition slightly out of context. I look at it this way. If I am an owner of a christian book store. I want men and women of God to work at my store. I don’t want to be required by our government to have to hire a homosexual to satisfy the political correctness that has become the norm in our society. Homosexuality is a sin. And if a person continues on in that life of sin for a prolonged period of time, showing no sign of repentance, then no, I don’t want to be required to have to hire them. Even if they do satisfy all job requirements.
God is good. Put your trust solely in Him because even true men of God will let you down. Even bible believing and teaching publications can let you down. Keep your eyes on the prize. This world has nothing you offer you. Only Christ will satisfy your needs. Believe in that, believe in the cross and the resurrection, believe in His promises and one day there will be no more tears, no more anger, no more questions. God is sovereign, perfect and everything he ordains is ordained according to His perfect will.
God Bless.
Hugs, Linda!!!
This message is right on target! God giving himself is more than enough, especially knowing that his Holy Spirit dwells in us to quicken us. When I lost my baby last October at 1 month old, I thought I could never see sunshine again. I felt like all had been lost. But today I can begin ( cause I’m just getting in the process)to rejoice that God treats me special. Special because now more than ever I feel his presence and his leading. He has given me, my husband and older son such great strength- it’s beautiful. We crave so much more of God and he has given me Joy. Just yesterday he gave me this passage from Job: “Though he slay me, yet will I trust Him”. I trust him totally even though I don’t fully understand what’s happening- a glimpse: I know he is preparing me for ministry.
So when you go through difficult moments- hang on to God he will take you through- his strength is totally PERFECT!!
Thanks for this. I am thankful to the Lord for a job, but truthfully it is a very tough one. I have been fighting fatigue, the temptation to give into depressing feelings, & really asking God to help me through despite discouraging things and people. (If there are any other teachers in inner-city NYC, I think you might be able to understand).If you remember me, prayers would be wonderful. But thank you for this reminder… life is often not easy to understand or explain, but it is true – as Christians, we need to continually turn to God. I pray for the strength to trust God & live my life the way I am supposed to.
I spent my entire life believing that Jesus is my savior. Led ministries in my Church. I was part of a designated editorial board for Today’s Christian Women for a year. But lately, I no longer believe. I believe there is a higher power who loves us. But I am having a hard time following the Bible. You can read what I wrote at my blog listed here to see part of what I am going through but I need to list a few other things that I have been deeply contemplating this last year.
The Old Testament talks of God knitting us together in our mother’s womb. That all of our days are ordained for us even before we were born. Then why pray for change or for something different to happen because if all of our days are ordained for us already, regardless of whether we ask for something or not, whatever is already chosen for us is going to happen.
The New Testament speaks of the potter molding this one for one purpose and that one for another purpose – some for good and some for bad. Well, isn’t that nice. Some of us are simply created for bad and will never make it to the Kingdom of Heaven.
It also speaks of God’s elect. If I’m one of his elect and accept Jesus as my savior, it tells me I cannot renounce Christ, regardless of what I do. I realize we are all sinners but some of us are elected to belong to God and some are elected not to be.
I’m angry. Yes. I got very angry when I received an email from Focus on the Family several months ago asking me to support some political proposition that does not mandate that employers have to employ homosexuals. Are you kidding me? If we, as Christians, are told to go out among the pagans to try to change their minds about Christ and their lives, do you really think that by not allowing a homosexual to work in our business, that will change his or her mind about Christianity and living the life God called them to do? When I saw that request, I immediately emailed Focus on the Family and told them that if they couldn’t change what they were telling people, to remove me as a subscriber. They removed me.
I see so many contradictions in this thing we call THE WAY. Truly, Jesus would never turn away anyone – not a homosexual, not a prostitute, not a Samaritan.
And we harm each other in this way and others in the name of our God. It is wrong.
As I mature as a Christian woman, and as I’m in the Word more often, I reallize that this is some truth at its best. I really loved this line: “Many times God does not give us answers. He gives us Himself– for He Himself is the answer.” It puts me in mind of the poem Footprints in the Sand. The Lord is carrying me through even the most difficult times, and I don’t HAVE to understand. I just need to know that He is the One guiding my way. I need to trust and obey Him. He carrys us. PTL
In November of 2009 I was put in the hospital with pnuemonia among other things. I was there 6 days. We have no insurance my husband has been out of work since last February. Yesterday I got the word from the hospital. My 23,000+ bill was canceled! GOD is always faithful. Sometimes when I don’t sense HIS presence I have to remember God is with me and that increase my faith. When I am waiting to hear from GOD I must do my part staying in the word and in prayer.
In 2008 I almost lost my marriage..lost my house…and my car…I felt as if everything in my life was just so messed up. My parents told me that if losing all this meant a greater reward at the end then let those things go…I did. My family had to live with my parents for year and a half. While living ther God blessed me with a better car with a cheaper payment. Me and my husband learned a lot about family, prayer, and financeing just by watching my parents. It renewed us. Just this pass Dec on the 1st we moved in our own home. It has been rough financally but the bills are paid..not much left after but I know in God’s own time he’ll put us where we need to be.
Two experiences come to mind; Forty years ago my home burned to the ground leaving us w/just the clothing on our back.
Second time was when we went to the mission field. I felt completely cut off from every person I loved and valued in life [including my husband who was there w/me but had galloped off, way ahead of me]; total and complete culture shock; too much time being left alone in a strange land, in a village where no one spoke my language so the sense of isolation was complete. Couldn’t tell a ‘road’ from a ‘foot path’ leading to no where. What a time it was. All my senses were topsy turvy.
Both times of course God was right there w/me and I learned incredible things as a result.
Two major life crisis points that God used for HIS complete honour & glory……
I know even when it looks as if God is silent all things are working out together for my good.and in situation where i thought that i have lost what was valuable to me His word kept me strong which says HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT FOR ME