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Wednesday... Under the circumstances it hard to keep quiet...


Wednesday... Under the circumstances it can be hard to keep quiet, and that can be so true both in a positive situation and a negative one. And this is how a friend of Job in the Old Testament started a conversation with him while he was going through a very difficult situation.

Here is what he said in Job 4:2-6 (MSG), "Would you mind if I said something to you? Under the circumstances it's hard to keep quiet. You yourself have done this plenty of times, spoken words that clarify, encouraged those who were about to quit. Your words have put stumbling people on their feet, put fresh hope in people about to collapse. But now you're the one in trouble-you're hurting! You've been hit hard and you're reeling from the blow. But shouldn't your devout life give you confidence now? Shouldn't your exemplary life give hope?"

And that many times is so true. When things are going good we are full of encouragement but when things turn bad like in a pandemic we are full of discouragement. But God understands that. He isn't as hard on us as others are. And that is a good thing. But discouragement is not the place to move in and stay. 

I like how the Psalmist puts it. Psalm 126:4-6 (NIRV), "Lord, bless us with great success again, as rain makes streams flow in the Negev Desert. Those who cry as they plant their crops will sing with joy when they gather them in. Those who go out weeping as they carry seeds to plant will come back singing with joy. They will bring the new crop back with them."

Yes, there may be discouragement for a moment, life can be tough, but keep at it. Even if you are crying, keep planting. Even if you are weeping as you carry your seeds, you will come back rejoicing, bringing your new crop with you. Keep at it! Yes, yes! #todaysbeginning

 




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