Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. Psalm 139:7-12.

I couldn’t help but think of the above verses when I read our chapter, Job 7. Job points out the hardness of our lot that is this life of hard service. Even in laying down there is no relief, v. 1-5. He asks God to remember that his life is but a breath and that in death he will never return to what was, v. 6-10. And then Job turns to God in anguish and asks the questions we all ask when in sore trials but with the beginnings of deep complaint to God Himself. He wants the misery to come to an end he and sees no way out. In a way, it reminds me of a worm struggling and curling in on itself…I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning…What is mankind that you make so much of them, that you give them so much attention…If I have sinned, what have I done to you…Why do you not pardon my offenses and forgive my sins…For I will soon lie down in the dust; you will search for me, but I will be no more…v. 16, 17, 20, 21.

How many have asked questions like these throughout the history of mankind? How many have cried out just wanting an end to suffering that seems endless; or a reason for the evils of this world that we cannot fathom or bring to an end? And when we spend ourselves and there is no more, is there hope? At the end of all that is, is there hope?

To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Jude 24-25.

You will search for me…but I will be no more...there is never a time when our Creator God – Father, Son, Spirit – searches for us for He is always with us. He knows what we are made of for He created us. This life that mankind chooses to live apart from God will never separate us from God’s love for us. “In a little while” we will each of us stand before our loving Creator God from Whom all things were created and we will be Home forever. We cannot fathom that kind of love this side of our life with Him with us; but one day we will and it will be with great joy because of our God. Thank You for so great a love, Lord!