Day 150 In the Soaking

 

 5/31/2026

 "Pray for a faith like Job's that will not shrink

when it is washed in the waters of affliction."

Your Daily Walk

 

The past five months I have been in a season of suffering (testing) and disruption (testing), battling against a pernicious foe who would enjoy nothing better than to steal my joy and destroy my life and the lives of my family. When it comes to health issues I don't really get too concerned, and generally tend to find my own solutions. Other things spring up over and over in the family making it difficult to find rest, but I have learned to be content regardless of situations that arise by keeping my focus on Jesus which gives me peace - shalom peace. 

My faithful Alex has been missing on several occasions which causes me concern, but he always manages to reappear. He is a fair weather furry friend, much as humans can be so. I've grown very fond of that feral long haired mongrel, even though he is very fickle when it comes to affection. He does give me a high five though. Do cats normally do that? He has a somewhat sweet disposition, that is, as long as Mia, Daniel's cat is not present. So, in spite of any obstacles, I am managing well, but only because Holy Spirit comforts me and reminds me of the love of God in sending Jesus to die for my sins. That brings everything into perspective, and again, I lift my voice in praise. Praise and gratitude are the BEST weapons!

I've been studying the book of Job over the past few days, and he's been going through a series of events, back to back, and endured the "comfort" of his "friends." Job's adventure came to an end in my reading today after 37 chapters of endless prattle by his three friends. They were determined to give Job godly wisdom and counsel, and although there was a measure of truth in their verbal missiles, their accusations against Job were totally unfounded and not established. Those who criticize others often want to have the final word. A "think on this" or "thus saith me" sort of ending. But it's never really sensible advice, have you noticed that?! Repeatedly Job cried out to God for justice, maintaining his innocence, but he wanted God to give him an explanation about why this happened to him; so finally, after the voices slacked off, God obliged him.

In Job, Chapter 38:1-3:

"Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind: 'Why are you using your ignorance to deny my providence? Now get ready to fight, for I am going to demand some answers from you, and you must reply.'" 

God's first question to Job was: "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me if you know so much." (Job 38:4)

God continues to overwhelm Job with question after question about the logistics of His creation - who laid the cornerstone of the earth, decreed the boundaries, commanded the morning to appear and the darkness to cover the earth? Then he began to question Job about how mountain goats give birth, who gives the horse strength, and enables the eagle to soar. Poor Job must have been bug-eyed and mouth hanging open!  

Finally, God says to Job: "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? Or will you yield? Do you - God's critic - have the answers?" (Job 40:2)

About now I imagine Job's buddies may have been thinking..."Hmmm, we tried to tell you, Job, but you wouldn't believe you were guilty. Yep, that pride of yours!" Job was pretty shook up I'm sure, humbled that the LORD Almighty was speaking directly to him! So Job response was:

"I am nothing - how could I ever find the answers? I lay my hand upon my mouth in silence. I have said too much already." (Job 40:4)

The Lord again speaks to Job from the whirlwind in Job 40:7-14 saying:

"Stand up like a man and brace yourself for battle. Let me ask you a question, and give me the answer. Are you going to discredit my justice and condemn me, so that you can say you are right? Are you as strong as God, and can you shout as loudly as he? All right then, put on your robes of state, your majesty and splendor. Give vent to your anger. Let it overflow against the proud. Humiliate the haughty with a glance; tread down the wicked where they stand. Knock them into the dust, stone-faced to death. If you can do that, then I'll agree with you that your own strength can save you."

The Lord continues with a conversation regarding the strength of the hippopotamus and then the crocodile. In some translations God calls the latter Leviathan, but His point was that no person can stand against the strength of these creations. In the end Job speaks to God once more, then God turns to the friends, and He gives them a few words. Then, God has Job pray for them, probably so He won't have to deal with their audacity of speaking out of turn. God heals Job, and He restores to Job double of what he had before. He also gave Job seven more sons and three more daughters. The names of the daughters were noted: Jemina, Kezia, and Keren. The daughters were said to be exceptionally beautiful, and the meaning of their names bore witness: The Hebrew meaning of Jemima is "dove" or "bright as day"; Kezia means "cassia" or "cinnamon bark"; and Keren means "horn of beauty".

The story ends well, as Job has been restored, and he lives to the age of 140 to see his grandchildren and great and great-great grandchildren. What a blessing!

God is mysterious in His ways, but one thing I have learned that I am grateful for the hardships, for the pain, and for many experiences. I don't know what tomorrow will bring, or even this afternoon, but I am still grateful for the time He has given me. I can sing in great suffering and intense pain without the luxury of medication. I have moved over thirty times, losing everything many times having to begin again, but it has been worth the wear, because He has been with me, and He has shown me many, many things. He has taught me all I know, and He has given me everything I have - on loan, because everything belongs to Him. We are just stewards of His blessings while sojourners on this earth. I can live with that. In the soaking, in the fire, in the sifting, and the pressing He is here. Nothing else really matters, except in the end I will see Him, and of course, I want to take many with me. Heaven will be too good to miss!