Titus 2 Men And Women

Job 23
"He Performeth The Thing That Is Appointed For Me"
by Sharon Merhalski

Job 23 has been a precious portion of Scripture to me for many years.  In trials and illness it has been a real comfort and source of strength.  When I have gotten to the point of fatigue and/or illness where I have felt more human than saintly it has especially been a Balm of Gilead to my heart.

These last three years have been a time when the Lord has reminded me again and again of the precious reality of all of Philippians 3:10, "That I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto His death." This has been a time that the Lord has used to do some teaching bring about some needed changes in my life. I have not only experienced the preciousness of the Lord’s fellowship but also the anxiety that Job had in chapter twenty-three.

"Then Job answered and said, even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh that I knew where I may find Him, that I might come even to His seat! I would order my cause before Him, and fill my mouth with arguments.  I would know the words which He would answer me, and understand what He would say unto me. Will He plead against me with His great power? No, but He would put strength in me.......But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold......For He performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with Him........For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: Because I was not cut off from the darkness, neither hath He covered the darkness from my face." (Job 23 in part)

The Lord has used this chapter of Scripture to minister to my heart many, many times as I felt what Job felt and spoke. Job complained as he looked for God but could not find Him in his trial or in his fatigue and pain. Yet, Job KNEW God was in control even if he did not feel like He was anywhere to be found.

As I have read and re-read these verses I have been reminded that Job lived a truth that our former pastor imbedded in to the hearts of his people: "Base faith on facts NOT feelings."With these reminders came a lesson in open honesty.

The Lord taught me, and a dear friend (Mrs. Marlene Evans) showed me in her article on the feelings she went through with chemotherapy, that it is time---past time---to be open and honest with others about our struggles. Right now I feel exactly what she stated in her article for I too feel that I may be misunderstood. But I believe that the Lord taught me and nudged me along to be honest and as I have done so I have seen others feel understood. I have seen my "confessions" of not always being above my humanity bring an end to others berating themselves for their "feelings". While I cannot speak for others, I do know that nothing keeps me from prayer longer than my kicking myself for being less than what I feel I should be in Christ. Berating myself keeps me from the throne of grace while understanding myself and my humanity drives me there.

So to be honest, in the last thirty-seven years I have experienced the fact that great trials and illness can dig a pit of despair---even doubt---about everything I "FEEL" as a Christian to be true. However, I have also learned that I don’t have to "FEEL" anything because God has given me His infallible "fact" book---His Word. Like Job I don’t have to "feel" anything is true because I know what God said and God cannot lie.

 I know from experience that hurting saints (those suffering from physical, emotional, or spiritual hurt) need to hear that the battle they are having with their feelings is the same one that Job had. We need to be reminded that Job did not "feel" but he absolutely "KNEW" that God was in control and working all out for his good. We need to be reminded by God’s Word that He is in control of our lives too...whether we "feel" like He is or not.

It is a wonderful truth---when I base my faith on facts my actions are based on what I "KNOW" to be true and my "feelings" do eventually catch up with my "knowing".

They really do!!!

"MY WAYS ARE NOT YOUR WAYS"

You see only the trials and tests
You wonder why it is so;
There’s not a doubt in this heart of mine
God’s answering prayer...I know.

No, I didn’t pray for sickness
I prayed for Patience you see;
God is the Master of all teaching
This is His best way for me.

I prayed to go deeper in to His Love
To be hidden behind His Cross...
But He needs a Vessel pure and clean
He’s getting rid of the dross.

I want to be used to His Praise and Glory
Tho it may mean the Furnace and File;
Molded into something to please my Lord
And He’ll be with me all the while.

                             lula b. claycomb

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