#DailyDevotion When God Hides Himself
February 18th
Read Job 13:13–28
Job 13:15 Though he slay me, I will hope in him; yet I will argue my ways to his face… 20 Only grant me two things, then I will not hide myself from your face: (21) withdraw your hand far from me, and let not dread of you terrify me. (22) Then call, and I will answer; or let me speak, and you reply to me. (23) How many are my iniquities and my sins? Make me know my transgression and my sin. (24) Why do you hide your face and count me as your enemy?
I think we can see here that Job is of two mindsets. One is that is hope and salvation are in the Lord. It doesn’t matter what the Lord puts in his life. He knows and trust in God in such a way that despite what he is going through his hope is yet still in the Lord.
The other side is really the more funny or ridiculous side in which he thinks he can argue with his Maker. Sure we do it. Sometimes I may even encourage it as long as it is done respectfully and with faith and hope. We want to plead our case before the Almighty. Sure, we are not perfect. We have sinned grievously in our youth. We may have gotten older and simply are too old to engage in some of our more youthful sins.
Job asks the Lord of two things here. One is that the Lord would remove his hand from Job and the other is to not let the dread of the Lord terrify him. Removing his hand would be removing the plague that is upon him. Not letting the dread of the Lord terrify him is allowing him to believe that the Lord still cares for him. We want the Lord’s countenance to be upon us as does Job. Now it seems as if God is hiding.
Indeed, sometimes God does hide from us. He places himself in the place we least expect him. He hides in misery, disease, trials, tribulations and darkness. When you who place your faith in Jesus Christ find yourself there do not be troubled. Do not think Jesus is not with you and sustaining you. No, he is right there in the midst of it, going through it with you. He is not far and distant. He is hiding him in those circumstances. When he does that, then we must trust his Word and Promises (as of course we are always to do). Because that is where faith does its best work, when it has nothing left to lose but trust in Jesus’ promise. If you need something more than the promise, you don’t have faith.
Lord Jesus Christ, in midst of trials, tribulations, sickness and worries, let us see you there by your Word and Promise and trust in you alone. Amen.