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Job 42:5  I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Some things have served me well throughout my life.  I cannot allow myself to move too far away from certain principles.  It’s one thing to hear about the power of God.  It’s another thing to experience or see the power of God.  I have been asked before concerning someone going through difficulty.  What should I do?  How can I go on after going through this?  Serving God is not something you lay down just because you are going through some trial. 

Job said it well.  Job was saying, I have heard how you comforted others when they lost their loved ones. But now death has claimed all of Job’s children. Job didn’t lose one or even two of his children, but he lost every child he had.  Job was saying I have heard how you helped and provided for those who lost their wealth.  But now, Job’s wealth was gone.  It wasn’t just a part of his wealth, but he lost all of his wealth.  Job was saying, I have heard how you comforted those in sickness.  But now Job is sitting alone, his body failing him in weakness and sickness.  Job is saying, I have heard how you helped those whose wives decided to walk away.  But now Job’s wife said to him you should turn your back on God and die as she walked away. The question is always, how can you go on?  How can you keep trusting? How can you keep your joy and peace under such attack?

Often in my life, I have been at the graveyard of those who are laying their children to rest. I cannot count the times I have been with those who have lost their homes due to financial trouble.  The hospitals are full of believers dealing with sickness and disease. I’ve wept with husbands and wives who watch their spouse turn and walk away, destroying a family without repentance. What is the answer?

Most don’t want to hear the answer.  The real answer is to love God and keep serving Jesus. Job was saying I have heard about you in times of trouble, but now my eye sees what you have done. I have heard how you comfort, but now I have experienced that comfort. I have heard how you have provided, but now I have experienced your provision. I have heard you will not leave or forsake me, but now I’ve experienced your presence.

You see, loving God and serving Jesus is never in question based on some trouble in your life. Loving God and serving Jesus should always be a settled fact. The longer I have lived, the more precious this principle becomes.  Loving God and serving Jesus is not something I can lay down just because I lose something. Death may claim your loved ones. Your children may walk away.  Your wife may leave you. Your health may fail. Your wealth may be taken away.  But loving God and serving Jesus will be the constant that will cause you to say as Job did, I have heard about you, but now my eyes can see you. I want more than to hear; I want to experience Him.