Does God know what he is doing?

It is easy, well, human, to ask where God is during affliction, hardship and suffering.

It is easy to thank God when he does what we want, and does what we think should be done.  But when he doesn't, do we really believe he knows what he is doing?  

Job's empire collapsed, his children were killed, and his body was destroyed.  Job asks God, "Why?"  Then, with a hurting heart, a hurting body and a hurting soul, Job proceeds to plead his case asking God why must he suffer all this affliction.

God answers him.  Not with answers but with more questions, and with an ocean length of questions.  

I, too, have asked "Why?"  The last seven years have been wave after wave of affliction. The death of my daughter and all that has come with it: depression, distress and debt. Things just don't seem to be going uphill on all fronts of my life.   

After Job's questions, and after my questions towards God, the point is clear: God owes no one anything.  No reasons.  No explanations.  Nothing.  If he even gave them, we couldn't understand them.  

What do we do with this truth?  We trust his heart.  His heart is indeed kind and merciful.  He is steadfast, loyal, reliable and faithful.  Job did concede, "You have granted me life and steadfast love, and your care has preserved my spirit." (Job 10:12)  

God is a stronghold.  "The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble." (Psalm 37:39)

God is sweet.  "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103).

God is our Savior.  To all who refuse to abandon him, he will refuse to abandon us.  He asks of us to continue with courageous faith that we believe that he does know what he is doing and to trust his heart, even when we doubt his actions.

At the end of Job's story, Job matured in his perception of God, as well as in his relationship with God.  And, God commended Job's utter refusal to blame him and give up his faith in him.  Job was comforted and restored, all because Job understood the true heart of God regardless of God's actions.

Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.  (Job 42:3)

God asks the same of us. In all our circumstances - good and bad – to trust his heart, believe in his goodness and refuse to abandon him.  He will reward our faith and our fight, and our reward is himself.

In faith and love,

Darnelle Mason