Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they…did not choose to fear the Lord…they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their choices. Proverbs 1:28-29, 31.

You will guide me with Your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory. Psalm 73:24.

This morning in our prayer group we were encouraged with the devotional Jesus Today, to trust at a deep level with persistent thankfulness…even for situations you would never have chosen. It’s in situations in our lives we would never choose for ourselves that God can help us mature and grow into a faith He provides. When we realize our deepest need is for our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – and open our hearts and minds to Him, our world expands in ways we cannot fathom without Him. A door opens and He is there.

I couldn’t help but think about Job as we talked about situations we would never have chosen. Job would never have chosen the calamities that struck him but look at all he gained. In the midst of it all he was left bewildered and bereft with friends attempting to help him but saying words that could not touch the core problem -> why? In our chapter Eliphaz says something so true and yet something we shy away from: Blessed is the one whom God corrects; so do not despise the discipline of the Almighty. Job 5:17. In the notes below it pointed out that Paul quoted v. 13…He catches the wise in their craftiness, and the schemes of the wily are swept away. Job was not wily or crafty…and I have needed and welcome God’s corrections for me. Why? Because God knows my heart and He knows His plans for me and they are good and I cannot get there without Him. Our walk together has deepened my awareness of His Presence and in His Presence how can we not let go of everything that hinders us growing in grace and knowledge and understanding of how great our Creator God is? I know God’s love. And then I read the last verse of this chapter: We have examined this, and it is true. So hear it and apply it to yourself. v. 27. What? Does that leave you as empty as it left me? I want to apply to my soul what God says is true because His words are life itself given in great love for us all. Will we listen or will we turn away?

I’m learning with God’s help that He is preparing me for eternity with Him. I can trust Him. And…eternity is now with Him. We don’t have to wait for someday. He’s here now and helping us to know and understand the greatest truth so we can live it now: And one of the scribes came up and heard them disputing with one another, and seeing that he answered them well, asked him, “Which commandment is the most important of all?” Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:28-31. No more idolatry of worshipping what we make. Worship our Creator God. He leads us to Him and it is good!