Faith or Fear

"But He knows the way I take; When He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. My foot has held fast to His path; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the command of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food. But He is unique and who can turn Him? And what His soul desires, that He does. For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." Job 23:10-14

How encouraging it is to know that our God has a specific purpose and will for our life and He does as His soul desires. It says in Isaiah that the Lord Almighty has purposed and who can thwart it? I have been encouraged by this word today and these truths over the past week. We can all recall to mind Job's trials and tribulations and think boy why didn't he just give up. Why didn't he just throw in the towel and complain like we know he wanted to. Because Job's perspective was of faith not fear. He said these words in the midst of what I can only imagine was gut wrenching. I want to have faith's perspective that God will perform all He has appointed for me. I read in a book, Trusting God by Jeff Bridges, this very point the other day. Because we know God is directing our lives to an ultimate end and because we know He is sovereignly able to orchestrate the events of our lives toward that end, we can trust Him. We can commit to Him not only the ultimate outcome of our lives, but also all the intermediate events and circumstances that will bring us to that outcome.

Where has your life taken a different turn then you expected? Are their trials and circumstances weighing against you that seem impossible to deal with? Maybe you are having to live with the consequences of someone else's actions. Or maybe you are in a season of growth and blossom. Whatever season of life you may be in, recall to mind the truths of God's Word and that His purpose is always at will! God will perfect and complete the work He has begun in you. God is the author and perfecter of faith (Hebrews 12). Let us call upon Him!