Wow, talk about despair - this tops the chart! Job is in the abyss of discouragement and hopelessness. Have you ever been in a situation of affliction and are inconsolable by friends and family? When we suffer great loss, sorrow or pain and God seems to have vanished and rejected us, we become very vulnerable. Our perceptions can become reality. We swirl about in a whirlpool of depression. Job, as you well know, was delivered from his desperation. However, going through any trial is crushing and we remember how desperate we feel. Catch a glimpse of this about our Savior Jesus. Hebrews 12:4 states, "in your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood." Facing the cross, he cried out to his Father, "is there any other way?" Psalm 73 is a must-read for this devotional, at least through verse 17. Please remember in your prayers the worldwide persecution of Christians. Pray that Jesus will come soon and deliver his people from pain, suffering and death. Job caught that vision and he was later comforted by knowing his Redeemer lives. Hallelujah, praise God.
"I know my Redeemer lives: what joy the blest assurance gives!"
Paul A. Bertolino, Dowling Park, Fla.
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