This weekend, I wanted to do something for Spiritual Sundays on this blog. I have 4 different daily devotional applications on my phone and one of them this morning struck me as something I should share with my blog friends and visitors. I'm so painfully aware of how easy it is to give up when life seems to have taken everything good away and there is nothing left but misery and hopelessness. Jesus tells us about this in the Gospel of St. John: "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." NIV
This devotion is taken from the devotion called Today. It was written by Norm Prenger. I pray that the Lord will speak to you through His Holy Spirit so that you may be comforted, encouraged, and able to do likewise to those who may need it. God bless, Dr. Bobbi
His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!”
Job 2:9
My heart goes out to Job’s wife. She lost so much—beautiful sons and daughters, a substantial lifestyle, her security and dignity. Now her husband was covered in terrible sores and mumbling praises to God with ash-covered lips. Job’s own skin had become for her a living canvas depicting life’s cruelty and religion’s futility. Something inside of her snapped.
She is not alone. It’s ironic, but many folks drift away from faith in God for one of two reasons: life can be either too pleasant or too painful. Both ways of experiencing life can lead us to forget our Creator. A life of ease can lead to laziness, and a life of pain can lead to bitter despair. Satan is happy when we experience either outcome.
The gospel of Jesus Christ doesn’t promise a life of ease. It’s not some sort of spiritual painkiller to take away suffering. In fact, to embrace the truth can mean embracing even more pain—for Jesus’ sake. Leaving behind lives that are built around sin and selfishness will feel like dying. But death won’t have the last word.
Dear woman, look again at your husband, Job. See in his suffering a hint of the coming suffering of your Savior. See in Job’s faithfulness to God, despite so much suffering, an expression of the integrity of faith to which we are all called. All is not lost, and all can be forgiven.
Prayer
Lord, forgive us when we give in to despair. We trust the One who endured the cross for love’s better day. With him, may we let it all go into our Father’s hands. Amen.
Norm Prenger
http://thisistoday.com/archives/curses-into-blessings-2011-01-08/
16 comments:
EXCELLENT post! And a good reminder that things could be a lot worse. We need to always keep our focus on our Savior but you are right, it is not always easy for everyone. I pray you are successful in helping encourage someone with your good words today!
I always think of the words of Job's wife to him ("Curse God and die") when things are rough out there, and even our friends and closest family turn against us. But, thru times like these, we still must realize that, like Job, we still have Him. Job struggled, but kept his faith---and his fortunes were restored.
LOVE this post! I wrote my SS post about how I responded to despair...and YES, the enemy was thrilled with my response. So thankful the Lord loved me through it and is helping me as I come out of it!
Have a blessed weekend! Thank you so much for sharing this!! Such Truth!
WOW! This is a great post. The devil is just there waiting for us.Your prayer is perfect,thank-you.
God Bless,
Ginger
Just when you think things can not get any worse...they do. Your post is a good reminder to me to stay focused on the Lord and be in the word daily to increase my faith. Faith is what brought Job through it all and it will bring us through also.
Great words of comfort. - All is not lost, and all can be forgiven. Amen! :-)
God bless you Bobbi and I hope you have a great week :-)
~Ron
Great post. Excellent insight. Many need your words. Thanks for posting.
The story of Job is so inspiring. Thank you for this encouraging post.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Thank you for this post. Its been a while since we visited each other's blog but yet once again, God led me to read what He wants me to see. So, thank you for letting God use you.
Bravo ! Greetings from Greece! I have read your article and I must say that you point well things that people misunderstood. Our journey to His Grace is not an easy one. We must remain humble, filled with love.
thx for your visit today to FHC & for taking time to share your response ~ it's brought me round to visit you as well ~
a happy turn of events!
Yes the story of Job is confronting, and none of us know what is around the corner, and we hope we can continue to praise Him.
Thank you for your encouraging comment on my SS.
Hugs,
Jan
A wonderful post and very powerful! Thank you for sharing and thank you for praying for Rachel, I know her whole family is grateful for every prayer being said. Have a wonderful week, Nan
I enjoyed looking through all three of your blogs. Your passion to know God and to help people are evident. About my book, Joy in the Mourning - it is available through Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble, or directly from the publisher @ FriesenPress.com. Thank you!
Wonderful post!
Let us cling MORE tightly to the Lord as the day draws near, The devil would have us do the opposite. he tries to take us to a place of fear and in so doing take our eyes off of the One who holds our very lives in His hands.
I am so glad that you stopped by to visit my blog yesterday - it is great to meet you! I look forward to reading more of your blog! Thank you for the devotion passages that you left me to reflect on - I appreciate it so much!
Blessings on your day today!
Kymber
I know just how she felt but if you give up your faith you have absolutely nothing left. Curse God? I don't recommend it.
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