How many times can one person rebound?
I mean, once you’ve been knocked down… kicked… slapped… beaten… how many times can you get back up? How many times can you get your praise face back on and lift up the name of Jesus, even if it’s dark and gloomy in your life?
That’s where I’m going this morning after having read a few more chapters in the book of Job. He’s been suffering physically with this skin disease that’s been eating away at his body. I’m guessing he’s not eating very well either, because he says numerous times, he’s skin and bones. He tells us young children stare at him and make fun of him… his breath disgust his wife… his servants pay no attention to him… and his friends have forgotten him. Talk about rough.
But he’s also suffering emotionally, and he’s friends aren’t helping. As a matter of fact, he tells them their words are torture. Everything has turned in on him. He’s heavy hearted and mind weary in trying to figure out what’s happened.
He’s also suffering spiritually. He says,
“Though I pray to be rescued from this torment, no whisper of justice answers me.” —Job 19:7
He feels like God’s a million miles away and the brass doors of heaven are locked tight. He hears nothing from God.
Ever been in that place? Have you ever said something like, “What else can go wrong?” feeling like you’re on a never ending roller coaster ride of disaster with no way off. It seems like trouble comes in multiple doses, not one at a time.
But what do you do with that? How do you handle that? When you feel the pressure of the world on you and you’re about to call it quits, what is your next move? Is there any hope? I believe there is, and Job, this guy whose life is so totally damaged, tells us so. He says to his friends and to us,
“I know that my Savior lives, and at the end He will stand on this earth. My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God. Yes, I will see Him for myself, and I long for that moment.” —Job 19:25-27
This Job fella, though his life is messed up, still praises God. He still believes in God. He still trust God. He knows that he’s not going to live forever, but his hope is in his Savior – the one he has yet to meet.
Here’s my word of encouragement for you today
You’ve met the Savior. His name is Jesus. He died your death. He paid your price. He opened heaven’s doors for you. In the depth of struggles, get your praise face on and look to One who comes to your rescue. “I know that my Savior lives, and at the end He will stand on this earth. My flesh may be destroyed, yet from this body I will see God. Yes, I will see Him for myself, and I long for that moment.”
Father,
I believe. Jesus, in Your name I pray, Amen.
—Rev. Dr. MM Marxhausen
Mark was Spiritual Director for VdC from 2016 to 2019. He's written many of the devotions, especially the Devote and Affirm series, found on this website.
