Job 29

Those were the days

“Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me.” ~ Job 29:2

Have you ever heard someone say those were the days when life was easy or good?  Maybe that’s were you are in you life right now, looking back at a simpler time of life when you felt happy and on top of the world?

That’s were Job was in chapter 29. He was looking back at a time in his life when everything felt right.  A season when he was respected, prosperous, surrounded by family, and confident that God’s hand was upon him. It’s a chapter filled with memory, not complaints. It shows the longing of a heart that remembers walking closely with God in the bright days before the storm.

I too can remember a time not long ago when life felt full and purposeful for me. Ministry was fruitful, relationships were thriving, and I felt like I was in step with everything God had set before me. Then life shifted.  Recently, I have experienced some unexpected changes, personal setbacks, and unmet expectations that have transitioned me into a different season. It doesn’t look like the one I had so loved before, and at first, I felt like I was stepping backwards.  But now I am seeing the beauty of this season with the Holy Spirit guiding me in and leading me through.  Now I understand that the changes were not bad, just different and I am looking forward each day to seeing where He will lead next.

In today’s reading I am reminded of something important as I read about Job’s life.  Even in remembering the past, Job still acknowledged God’s presence. He didn’t deny the pain he was going through, but he also recognized that God had once walked closely with him and was still there in his suffering. This same loving heavenly Father that was with me in the good times is also with me now, even when my current season looks different.

Here are some ways you can apply this truth in whatever season you are in:

• Revisit and rehearse God’s past faithfulness. Not with bitterness, but gratitude. Write down those moments when you knew God was near.
• Ask God to open your eyes to His presence in this season. He hasn’t changed, He still watches over you even if the scenery has changed.
• Serve someone else today. Job remembered the impact he had on others. Even in hard times, you can still be a light.

Start with gratitude. Write down three times God provided, protected, or gave you joy. Ask Him to remind you of who you were in those moments and what about that version of you still remains.

Today I want to encourage you to remember that even though seasons change, your Father in heaven remains the same and so does His love for you. What felt lost can be restored, and what was true about you in the past, your kindness, your integrity, your faith, is still within you today. You are still known, still seen, and still held by the same God who watched over you in brighter days. He has not forgotten you, and He’s not done writing your story.

Today’s scripture reading: Job 29

1Job continued speaking:

2“I long for the years gone by when God took care of me,

3when he lit up the way before me and I walked safely through the darkness.

4When I was in my prime, God’s friendship was felt in my home.

5The Almighty was still with me, and my children were around me.

6My steps were awash in cream, and the rocks gushed olive oil for me.

7“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders.

8The young stepped aside when they saw me, and even the aged rose in respect at my coming.

9The princes stood in silence and put their hands over their mouths.

10The highest officials of the city stood quietly, holding their tongues in respect.

11“All who heard me praised me. All who saw me spoke well of me.

12For I assisted the poor in their need and the orphans who required help.

13I helped those without hope, and they blessed me. And I caused the widows’ hearts to sing for joy.

14Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban.

15I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame.

16I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help.

17I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.

18“I thought, ‘Surely I will die surrounded by my family after a long, good life.

19For I am like a tree whose roots reach the water, whose branches are refreshed with the dew.

20New honors are constantly bestowed on me, and my strength is continually renewed.’

21“Everyone listened to my advice. They were silent as they waited for me to speak.

22And after I spoke, they had nothing to add, for my counsel satisfied them.

23They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain.

24When they were discouraged, I smiled at them. My look of approval was precious to them.

25Like a chief, I told them what to do. I lived like a king among his troops and comforted those who mourned.

Journal Prompt:

• What season of your life do you miss and why?
• What qualities did you live out then that you can step into again now?
• Ask God to meet you today in this season, just as powerfully as He did before.

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