God Is Working Behind the Scenes
“But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause, who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” ~ Job 5:8–9
Job 5 continues the speech of Eliphaz, Job’s friend, who meant well but missed the mark in understanding Job’s suffering. Still, nestled in his words are some powerful truths, especially this reminder: God does great and marvelous things, beyond our understanding. Even when things don’t make sense, we should always turn to Him first and be encouraged to seek Him and commit our cause to Him.
Let’s face it, when you’re in pain, the last thing you feel like doing is trusting someone you can’t see. But that’s exactly where faith comes in. It’s not about denying the pain, it’s about believing that God is at work even in the middle of it. Eliphaz said, “He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety” (v. 11). What a promise! Even when we feel crushed or confused, God is not absent. He is working behind the scenes in ways we can’t always see.
Many times in my life I felt like things were completely out of control. There were times when I thought, “God, where are You?” But now, looking back, I can see how He never left my side. His hand was guiding me, strengthening me, and shaping something deeper in me than I could have imagined.
Job’s life shows us that even the righteous can suffer, but suffering doesn’t mean we’re abandoned or disqualified. In fact, it’s often in our lowest moments that we experience God’s presence the most powerfully.
Below are some steps you can take to make sure that you are seeking God first in your trouble:
- Seek God daily. Eliphaz says, “I would seek God.” Start your morning with a simple prayer of surrender. Ask God to take over the concerns of your day.
- Commit your cause. Write down the situation or burden you’re carrying. Then, out loud, give it to God. Say, “God, I give this to You. I trust You’re working on my behalf.”
- Remember His faithfulness. Keep a journal of answered prayers or past times God came through for you. Let it be a reminder that He’s working now too, even if you can’t yet see it.
- Encourage someone else. Just as Eliphaz tried to offer wisdom, you can offer support to someone else going through a hard time by simply showing up, listening, and praying with them.
Today I want to encourage you to know that your pain is not pointless. Your suffering has not escaped God’s notice. He is the One who “does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number” (v. 9). Even now, in the middle of whatever you’re facing, He is working for your good. Don’t give up. Don’t lose heart. Seek Him, commit your cause to Him, and trust that even when you can’t trace His hand, you can trust His heart. He is lifting you, sustaining you, and writing a story more beautiful than you could imagine.
Today’s scripture reading: Job 5
1“Cry for help, but will anyone answer you? Which of the angels will help you?
2Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple.
3I have seen that fools may be successful for the moment, but then comes sudden disaster.
4Their children are abandoned far from help; they are crushed in court with no one to defend them.
5The hungry devour their harvest, even when it is guarded by brambles. The thirsty pant after their wealth.
6But evil does not spring from the soil, and trouble does not sprout from the earth.
7People are born for trouble as readily as sparks fly up from a fire.
8“If I were you, I would go to God and present my case to him.
9He does great things too marvelous to understand. He performs countless miracles.
10He gives rain for the earth and water for the fields.
11He gives prosperity to the poor and protects those who suffer.
12He frustrates the plans of schemers so the work of their hands will not succeed.
13He traps the wise in their own cleverness so their cunning schemes are thwarted.
14They find it is dark in the daytime, and they grope at noon as if it were night.
15He rescues the poor from the cutting words of the strong, and rescues them from the clutches of the powerful.
16And so at last the poor have hope, and the snapping jaws of the wicked are shut.
17“But consider the joy of those corrected by God! Do not despise the discipline of the Almighty when you sin.
18For though he wounds, he also bandages. He strikes, but his hands also heal.
19From six disasters he will rescue you; even in the seventh, he will keep you from evil.
20He will save you from death in time of famine, from the power of the sword in time of war.
21You will be safe from slander and have no fear when destruction comes.
22You will laugh at destruction and famine; wild animals will not terrify you.
23You will be at peace with the stones of the field, and its wild animals will be at peace with you.
24You will know that your home is safe. When you survey your possessions, nothing will be missing.
25You will have many children; your descendants will be as plentiful as grass!
26You will go to the grave at a ripe old age, like a sheaf of grain harvested at the proper time!
27“We have studied life and found all this to be true. Listen to my counsel, and apply it to yourself.”
Journal:
- What is one situation in your life right now that feels out of your control?
- How can you practically commit that situation to God today?
The Daily Dose 