We May Never Know

Reflections.

I love the way water can reflect whatever is beside or above it. When calm, the images the waters reflect seem to go as deep as they are tall. It's God's mirror, giving us the ability to examine the sky and trace its path across the tops of trees.

Amazing!

I could sit for hours and lose myself in the images, experience the cool breeze, and the fragrance of the landscape that surrounds me. 

But what do we do with the reflection when the water is murky or cloudy? The images are distorted and unclear. I know I want to sit far from it to avoid any accidental swimming excursions.

I don't know about you, but as the years pass and the evidence of life lived becomes more apparent in the aches and slowing of pace (or is it the racing of time?), I find myself reflecting.

Some moments are crystal clear, lending to a sigh of wonder and nostalgia. Others, however, are laden with regret and varied levels of shame.

There's nothing we can do to reverse time and correct course, but there is redemption. 

Looking back over the years, I find myself wondering what will be said of me when I stand before the Lord.

I know that we all want to hear, "Well done," don't we?

But in this life, we inevitably face reflections in our mirror that breathe shame and regret. The voices of our past are full of accusation and unforgiveness, reminding us of our worth--or lack. We turn from the images and face the sun, determined to take steps into the light where our darkened souls can find life. 

And we find rest in the grace and mercy of our Lord. 

Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and My burden is light (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).

It is a beautiful thing to find that rest. Sabbath. Jesus.

It is healing.

Refreshing.

Then the onslaught comes. It feels more like a whirlwind and a hurricane combined with an earthquake. We cling to anything bolted down, but understanding that the floor holding that item may give way at any moment.

And this is where we find Job. 

There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil (Job 1:1 NKJV).

He feared God. So much so that whenever his children held feasts at their homes, he would go sacrifice on their behalf because "it may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts" (Job 1:5). He wanted to make sure his children were prayed for, sins covered by blood sacrifice, and cleared of guilt ... just in case.

What Job hadn't anticipated, nor could he have, was a plot to destroy his character before God. Satan joined the sons of God when they came to present themselves before the LORD. He wanted to prove to God that this righteous man would curse Him to His face. So God allowed Satan to launch an attack on Job. First, his family and possessions. Then his health. The only stipulation: "do not lay a hand on his person" (v12).

Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. And the LORD said to Satan, "From where do you come?"

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it."

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Does Job fear God for nothing? Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!"

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person."

So Satan answered the LORD and said, "Skin for skin! Yes, all that a man has he will give for his life. But stretch out Your hand now, and touch his bone and his flesh, and he will surely curse You to Your face! 

And the LORD said to Satan, "Behold he is in your hand, but spare his life."

So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD.

(Job 1:6-11, 4-7)

From chapter 1 through 42, this man did not curse God. He cursed his own existence. He confessed that God was allowing this, though he had no idea why. Yet through it all, he acknowledged God's greatness, power, and ability to do whatever He wanted. Nothing could stop Him.

And in the end, he heard God's response to his complaints, and his perspective changed.

While he said, "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him. Even so, I will defend my own ways before Him" (Job 13:15), he later confessed, "I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5-6).

And it is from this perspective that I wish to encourage us all.

Whatever it is that troubles our minds and tries to keep. us awake at night, we can be sure of a few things:

1. We might never know the battle being waged in the heavenly realm. 

2. Our Father God will never abandon us or allow Satan to destroy us.

3. At the end of the day (whether on earth or in glory) we will be restored to conditions better than before.

4. Even if He doesn't. He is still good. He is still God. He is still worthy of our whole being.

Until next time, let His glory shine in your hearts!  💜 Karlene J 💜