Revelations in the midst of trials

Beautiful things come out of storms

 This is directly from my journal, written April 9, 2013, after a huge blow up between two people in my family that hit me especially hard, since I love them both.

God has used the book of Job in very profound ways (it's how He showed Himself to me, when I was an unbeliever), and He continues to show me stunning things from this ancient story:

Job begged for God to answer him and defend him, and to know why these awful things had happened to him even though he had always served God faithfully.

When God finally did answer, he didn't answer any of Job's questions. He revealed Himself to Job in three chapters of the most intense and vivid revelations, in His own words, in the entire Bible. Job chapters 38-41 is the longest speech ever shared by God directly to mankind. 

He didn't explain why but  He answered with even more wondrous revelations.

And so it is with this trial: I am asking God to bring healing; and He isn't. But what is He bringing instead? Intense and vivid revelations of Himself, drawing into greater, stunning knoweldge of Him: moment of His presence that fill me wonder.

It's worth it! This trial is worth it.

The emotional turmoil is still there, endlessly nipping at my heels, but it's worth it.

Job 42:1-5  Job replied to the Lord: I know that ou can do all things; no purpose of yours can be thwarted. You asked "Who is this who obscures my plans without knowledge?" Surely I spoke of things I did not understand; things too wonderful for me to know .... my ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen You.