“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3
One of the greatest struggles in the Christian life is staying in God’s presence when things fall apart. But hardship isn’t the real battlefield—our nearness to God is. We see this with absolute clarity in the book of Job.
Job endured loss on a scale most of us can’t imagine.
In a single day, he lost his children, his wealth, his respect, and eventually his health. If there were ever a moment when God could have sat down beside a broken man and simply let him replay every tragedy, this was it. As humans, we think this is what He should do. But—He didn’t. When God finally spoke, He did not focus on Job’s suffering—He refocused Job on where his help comes from—God Himself:
“Who is this who darkens counsel by words without knowledge?” Now prepare yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer Me. “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell Me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements? Surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? To what were its foundations fastened? Or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together, And all the sons of God shouted for joy?” Job 38:2-7
God wasn’t minimizing Job’s pain. He wasn’t belittling Job. Rather, He was reminding Job—forcefully and lovingly—of who He is. Job didn’t need reasons for the tragedy; he needed the comfort and strength of God’s presence. We know the reason there is death and sorrow in this world is because mankind chose the sin of independence from God. God was reminding Job of his need. No—Job didn’t need to know why these tragedies happened—his mind and heart could NOT have possibly comprehended them. Rather, what Job needed was to know that He could absolutely depend on God and thus, needed to draw closer to Him.
Remembering God for who He is is the turning point of victory for every born again believer who is suffering.
The enemy tries to use painful circumstances to pull us away from God, but God uses them to draw us closer to Him. In every trial, the real battlefield is not the circumstance; it is drawing closer to God. God never promised that we would avoid the fire; rather, He promised we would never face it alone:
“When you pass through the waters, I will be with you… When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned.” Isaiah 43:2
Notice He doesn’t say IF you pass through the waters; He says WHEN. God equips us with His mind and attitudes to navigate this sin-cursed world. Moses refused to move one step without God’s presence when he said: “If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.” (Exodus 33:15) Moses understood that it wasn’t the might of the warriors of the nation that would protect and guide; it was the presence of God that was the difference-maker. Jesus’ promise to EVERY believer is:
“And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Matthew 28:20
It is impossible to walk through suffering with spiritual victory apart from God. Anxiety, bitterness, discouragement, and despair WILL overtake us if we lose sight of who God is. God didn’t sit down with Job and explain his tragedies, because explanations don’t heal a crushed spirit. Only God’s nearness does. And then Job got it. He answered God in this realization:
“I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’ “I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” Job 42:2-6
When Job remembered God for who He is, his heart did a 180-degree turn back towards God. And think about it—his circumstances didn’t change; his heart did. During difficult times, we often immediately forget who God is. This is sin. But when we repent, God floods us with His presence. Job’s restoration began the moment he stepped back into awe and wonder; back into trust and back into full surrender to God. That is the power of God’s presence. It changes how we see everything.
When we see the Fourth Man standing in the fire with us—we are not afraid.
We all suffer. Suffering must be endured. The enemy wants to isolate you in your pain. God wants to anchor you in His presence. So today, don’t replay the losses. Don’t drown in the questions. Don’t analyze the “why.” Rather, immerse yourself in God’s Word; cry out in prayer; sit in His presence and listen; and let God remind you of His greatness. Let Him draw you near. He is our only refuge in the storm.
Prayer
Dear Lord, You are my strength when I am weak, my peace in turmoil, and my anchor in every storm. Help me remain in Your presence when life is painful, confusing, or overwhelming. Teach me to lift my eyes above my circumstances and see Your greatness, just as Job did. Silence every voice that pulls me away from You, and draw me closer through Your Word, Your Spirit, and Your presence. Thank You for every spiritual blessing in Christ and for the promise that You are always with me. Keep me near You, Lord, and let Your presence carry me through every fire. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
