Where is the Lord? Is He with us?

Job 23:3, ³ If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!

We all believe there is a Lord and we devotedly pray to Him. At some crossroads in life we happen to question ourselves, Is there a Lord? If there is, is He with us? The Lord Himself had certified about Job that he was a righteous man. Job 2:3, ³ Then the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil. And he still maintains his integrity, … Job had many bitter experiences owing to his faith and devotion to the Lord. Under circumstances, his wife who should have comforted and supported him is seen as pulling him down even further into misery.

Job was very rich and wealthy. He lost all his wealth. When he lost his wealth he was hopeful that atleast his children are safe. When he lost his wealth and children he found hope that atleast his health is good. He lost his health too and he was ridden with sores and illnesses. His three friends came to meet him. The friends who should have been his pillar of strength and support insulted and humiliated him saying that his suffering is due to his sins. After being shunned by everyone, Job thought that even the Lord had shunned him from His sight. Even after losing everything Job did not give up or condemn the Lord. Job 2:10, ¹⁰ He replied, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” In all this, Job did not sin in what he said. Job is full of faith even in his suffering and says,

Job 23:3-5, If only I knew where to find him;
    if only I could go to his dwelling!
⁴ I would state my case before him
    and fill my mouth with arguments.
⁵ I would find out what he would answer me,
    and consider what he would say to me.

He says, Job 23:8-9, “But if I go to the east, he is not there;
    if I go to the west, I do not find him.
⁹ When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
    when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.

Can we also say like Job in Job 23:10, But he knows the way that I take;
    when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. Are we blameless like him?

Job does not forget his good days. He says that the Lord is all powerful and there is nothing impossible with the Lord. He even prays tot the Lord for forgiveness if he has said something in his ignorance. Job says he had not seen the Lord and hence was ignorant. Now, having seen the magnificence he repents.

Job: 42:5-6, My ears had heard of you
    but now my eyes have seen you.
⁶ Therefore I despise myself
    and repent in dust and ashes.”

Even after suffering innumerable trials and sufferings, Job does not shake or waver in his faith for the Lord. In the end, we see that the Lord blessed Job multifold. Job 42: 10, ¹⁰ After Job had prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes and gave him twice as much as he had before.

Job 42:16-17, ¹⁶ After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. ¹⁷ And so Job died, an old man and full of years.

Under such circumstances, just think how would you and me react? Will our response be like Job? Will you condemn the Lord for the sufferings? Will you weaken in faith and go astray?? Think. Reflect. The Bible teaches us that the Lord saw us even when we were unformed in our mother’s womb. He knows even the last moments our lives. Is it possible for each of us to accept the good with the evil like Job??

The Lord did not send suffering into the life of righteous Job of His own will. The Lord did this due to the Devil. Job 2: 3,.. though you incited me against him to ruin him without any reason.” The old evil serpent of the Bible continues to follow man even today. He tests and tempts those people more who abide by the laws of the Lord and do what is right in His sight. Just like our father on earth believes in us, the Father in heaven too looks down on us with faith.

Hebrews 12:4-11, ⁴ In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. ⁵ And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
⁶ because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

⁷ Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? ⁸ If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. ⁹ Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! ¹⁰ They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. ¹¹ No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

In moments of doubt think, Judges, 6:12-13, ¹² When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.”

¹³ “Pardon me, my lord,” Gideon replied, “but if the Lord is with us, why has all this happened to us? Where are all his wonders that our ancestors told us about when they said, ‘Did not the Lord bring us up out of Egypt?’ But now the Lord has abandoned us and given us into the hand of Midian.”

Think. Find out your own answers.