Seeing God through our tears and struggles
In preparing for a brief summer getaway and considering what portion of scripture I would focus on for that time, my attention was drawn to the book of Job. Of all the books to occupy heart and mind while on vacation! What was this about?
Job—both the book and the man—are synonymous with suffering. I’ve studied Job on occasions in the past, but this time was somewhat different—perhaps because of my recent experience of physical brokenness and a long, arduous recovery. September marks three years since the devastating automobile accident that nearly cost my life. Going through an experience like that and meeting others in similar circumstances brings home the reality that we live in a broken world where pain and suffering often mark our journey. It brings us face to face with the truth that James expressed when he said, “What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” however, what we experience in our brief life on earth is not the end but rather the beginning.
Thankfully, Paul encourages us with this truth: “Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”
Job suffered the loss of virtually everything in his life except for physical life itself. his family, his possessions, his health—all were taken from him. Throughout most of the book of Job we hear human complaint, questions, confusion and even accusation; but it doesn’t stop there.
After man’s futile attempts to answer “why is all this happening?” God steps into the midst of confusion and says, “Look at Me.” in chapters 38 through 41 theLord tells Job (and tells us) that he cares for His creation carefully and completely. he reveals in colorful detail that he alone is ultimately in control and that our lives and our times are in His hands.
The New Testament sounds the same refrain. We are to look to Jesus. We are to rely on him. He is to be the focus of our thoughts and hope. In the account of the transfiguration in Matthew 17 the lord says: “This is my Son…listen to him!” [box]Many can testify to the indescribable grace of God during the most severe trials. In such moments there is no substitute for prayer.[/box]
When we suffer it can be easy to fix our eyes on our circumstances. But even in our weakest hour we must never forget the Lord’s character and His commitment to us. We must make every effort to look at Him. It can be a bit of a journey to travel from fear and confusion to hope and peace. But He is there to lead us there, just as He did with Job. He is Immanuel—God with us.
Our earthly journey will inevitably be marked by a measure of suffering and pain. But like Job, in those difficult moments we are called to look at Him! In Him are life and hope and strength. Most of all, in Him we find a love that we can trust completely.
Job’s reply to the Lord in chapter 42 demonstrates a higher degree of wisdom. When all the answers aren’t clear in this earthly life, wisdom resists becoming obsessed with knowing and figuring out the why and the how. It simply concedes, “I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted.” in other words, our lives are in His capable hands, and we can trust Him.
Through all of his astonishing losses, and in spite of his judgmental and misguided friends, Job held on to an incontrovertible fact: “I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth.” as believers today, thousands of 
years removed from Job, we are sustained by that same reality: our redeemer lives, and He will reign forever.
Then…
A short time into July my journey through the book of Job quickly took on special significance. in the very same week I received word that two of my closest colleagues at EHC—Jacqueline Dugas and Irving Whitt—were beset by life-threatening health crises.
While still in the latter stage of recuperation from debilitating head injuries she suffered two years ago, Jacqueline Dugas was stricken with an entirely different malady—a condition called acute hyper-inflated lungs. it is caused by an obstruction that affects her respiratory system and makes it difficult to expel air and subsequently inhale. So severe was the onset that twice she was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment. The doctors are puzzled as to the cause and are at this point attempting several possible remedies. As EHC Canada assistant executive director and director of ministries, Jacqueline occupies a key position. She is greatly needed, and when she is unable to work we become keenly aware of the responsibilities she bears. Pray for her, that God will touch her life and bring a miracle of healing.
Irving Whitt is less well known to the readers of Harvest Partner, but he is very well known to us who carry out this ministry from day to day. Irving is a key member of our board of directors and also significantly contributes much to our EHC leadership both in Canada and overseas.
Literally at the same moment that Jacqueline was in emergency, I received word of Irving’s health crisis. It reminded me of Job getting one bad news report after another. Irving and his wife, Ruth, were visiting their daughter and son-in-law who live in the USA. Irving beg
an to suffer some odd symptoms one morning and commented on them to his family. His son-in-law, an MD., concluded at once that Irving needed immediate attention. He took him directly to the medical center where CAT scans revealed a mass in or around his pancreas. With the quick results from those tests in hand, Irving returned to Canada and was able to be fast tracked for further tests and prognosis. At the time of this writing, surgery followed by chemotherapy had been set for August 8.
I know that many who are reading this article either have or are facing critical situations. Many can testify to the indescribable grace of god during the most severe trials. In such moments there is no substitute for prayer— prayer for healing, for wisdom, for strength, for protection and for the ability to simply go on in the face of great challenges.
As I have meditated on God’s word and spent time in prayer for friends who are enduring profound experiences, often a simple thought seems to open the door where the presence of God is manifest in a strong and powerful way. In the midst of the darkest times, God has brought to mind the encouraging phrases of hymns I have known for years. Words buried deep in my mind have come flooding in…
What a friend we have in Jesus He’s as close as the mention of his name Turn your eyes upon Jesus We’ll understand it better by and by Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine
May God’s blessed assurance be yours today. and may our gracious God—“the God of all comfort”—enable you to take these things to heart, to take all your cares to Christ, and to take every concern for others to the only one who hears—and answers—with perfect love and compassion.
By Denys Blackmore