Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” John 8:12.

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs and having the hope of eternal life. Titus 3:4-7.

I can’t help but imagine what Job must have experienced as he tried to make sense of events that overpowered his ability to comprehend his life and what life meant. Haven’t we all been there to some degree? Job’s experiences were so extreme he couldn’t make any sense of God and why He would allow Job’s suffering to continue. If only my anguish could be weighed and all my misery be placed on the scales! It would surely outweigh the sand of the seas – no wonder my words have been impetuous. The arrows of the Almighty are in me, my spirit drinks in their poison; God’s terrors are marshaled against me. Job 6:1-4. Yet he points out that the donkey only brays when it has no grass, the ox bellows when it has no fodder; and that tasteless food makes him ill which is how food tastes when we are without hope. Job wants his life to end. Why? Then I would have this consolation – my joy in unrelenting pain – that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. v. 10. Do I have any power to help myself, now that success has been driven from me? v. 13. His friends are no help – you see something dreadful and are afraid, v. 21. Job’s appeal? Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words! v. 24-25. When all is lost we seek understanding.

When we are in the midst of sore trials all we can see is our pain. That pain is real. We lose hope because living the pain is all we can see. The unknown does not exist for God our Creator. We may not see the good that will come that God is working in our lives but God does see. Nothing is wasted. God imbues our lives with beauty and meaning that is never lost. I pray He comforts each heart with the lifeblood of His Love so we can grasp the truth that our God is everything and that the good He is working is for our good always. Where does that leave us today? Now? Tomorrow? Eternity? In the love and care of our Creator God who gave His life for us that Sin is defeated. We can walk with Him now, tomorrow, for eternity. He will never leave us or forsake us. He heals, redeems and restores us to Him. What joy that will be; what comfort that brings here in a world shrouded in a darkness we cannot see for what it is. Faith and Trust in our Creator God is our living hope and He provides that just as He provides everything we need. We need Him.