“But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” Job 23:1-10 Job, as he declares, “I shall come forth as gold,” is going through the trial of his life. It seemed like the blessings and favor of God were stolen away forever. Job was in anguish. His heart would forever grieve the loss of his children. His body, though tired and weary from grieving the death of his precious children, was also plagued with sickness and painful ulcers. At the time in his life when he needed encouragement the most, He…

Job chapter 1 and 2 surveys the heartrending account of Job’s loss. First, he loses his material wealth and possessions, and then he learns that all of his children died in a desert windstorm. There are still terms that lack in our world. For instance, there is a word to describe the loss of ones parents; an orphan—there is a word to describe the loss of a spouse; a widow—but, there is not a word in the English language to describe a parent who suffers the loss of a child. Certain experiences go against the grain of normality—I cannot begin…

Words are so important particularly to those who are grieving over the loss of a loved one. Often I am at a loss for words. The Apostle Paul writing to the church at Thessalonica gave them words to comfort one another. They were words of hope when he told them that the Lord would descend from heaven with a shout. “Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord” (1 Thessalonians 4:19 in the King James Version of the Holy Bible). What comforting words these are!

Prayer: Hope of Your soon return is a comforting word for me. When I feel such heaviness over my losses, I can read Your Word and be comforted knowing You are coming back to take us from this world of sorrow. Thank You, Jesus!

Devotion by Kaye Singleton