Job 23 Devotions by Stephen Taylor

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. 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.”

Job has suffered much heartache, loss, and even abandonment and condemnation from those closest to him. Then on top of all that, he feels like God is nowhere to be found! He is saying that no matter where he goes, God is absent.

Have you ever felt like that? In the midst of suffering and loss, we can feel like this is true, but we must not rely on our feelings but on the truth of God's word! For God's word says:

Psalm 34:18- The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

That is a promise from the Lord that we can count on. For the promises of God are more real and lasting than the air we breathe or the world we see. Job wasn't wrong in what he felt, but where he made the mistake is forgetting who God is and what He has told us. We, too, must remember this in these times of suffering, hardship, and loss that are sure to come upon us all at one time or another.

If you have lived very long on this earth, then you know they are unavoidable, but they don't have to be walked through alone. God has given us the greatest gift ever in Jesus Christ, and through Christ, you can receive the Holy Spirit! The Holy Spirit helps us to hear God, know God, and walk with God daily. No matter the battle or the storm, He is faithful! So today, let's not focus on our feelings but on His truth and ask the Holy Spirit to carry us into His Presence and fill us with His peace!

John 14:16-18- “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. The world cannot receive Him, because it isn't looking for Him and doesn't recognize Him. But you know Him, because He lives with you now and later will be in you. No, I will not abandon you as orphans—I will come to you.”

God bless! I love you all, but His love is forever! Glory, honor, and praise now and forever to Papa God, Jesus Christ our King, and the Holy Spirit!