God Is Always Present, Regardless of How I Feel

In review of Job 1:21 it says, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised.”
 

Bottom Line:

I was born with nothing and I will leave with nothing, the Lord has given and he may take it away, regardless, may the name of the Lord be praised.

What this means to me:

I came into this world with nothing, when I leave it I won’t be taking anything with me. The Lord gives and the Lord may take away, regardless, I will praise the name of the Lord at all times.

There was a time, early in my walk that God would confirm my emotions and even answer some of my immature and self-centered presence to reveal himself.  However as I have walked with him, he has and continues to wean me from these types of dependencies.

One other thing I have learned is the God is always present, even when I’m unaware of him. While he wants me to sense his presence, he’s probably more concerned that I learn to trust him more than I feel him.  It is my faith, not my feelings that please Him.

It seems that the situations that stretch my faith the most are those in which life seems to be falling apart and God does not seem to be readily available.  A situation such as this, is explained in the book of Job.  We learn that in one single day, Job lost everything, his family, his health and everything he owned.  For a majority of the book, God says nothing to Job.  

I can learn a lot from Job.  Job 1:20b-21 says, “Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: ‘Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised’” (NIV).  

In the midst of this issue and not understanding, Job still praised God. Later Job then poured out his heart and told God exactly how he felt. He essentially unloaded every emotion that he was feeling. Job 7:11 say, “I can’t be quiet! I am angry and bitter. I have to speak” (TEV). He cried out when God seemed distant: “Oh, for the days when I was in my prime, when God’s intimate friendship blessed my house” (Job 29:4 NIV).

The good news is that God can handle my doubt, anger, fear, grief, confusion, and questions. God will use whatever happens to me to refine my character and build me. In plenty or in times of desperation, I need to keep my focus on him and praise him.  Everything comes from him, and I should allow him to take it away from me.  In the end, I will not be able to take anything with me, other than my character and my faith.  It will be my faith, not my feelings that will please Him.

I need to remember that when life gets tough, the best one to discuss this with is God.  I also need to remember that my faith in God is on display when I go through any crises. My example can help others who may be or will struggle in the future.