Day 175: Job 1-3; Acts 7:1-36

"What did I ever do to deserve this? I must have done something wrong!" This question/statement that I have heard hundreds of times in my lifetime was raised again last week. In fact, I am quite certain that most of you reading this devotional thought have asked the same question at some point on your journey. Both Job and Stephen, from our daily readings, were exceptional men. God Himself endorses Job: "No one else on earth is like him, a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil." (Job 1:8b, CSB; see also 2:3). About Stephen Luke writes: "Now Stephen, full of grace and power, was performing great wonders and signs among the people." (Acts 6:8, CSB; in verse 3 he qualifies only Stephen in his selection to serve as 'full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom'). What had either of them done to deserve suffering, or death? Nothing! Absolutely nothing!

No doubt we have an enemy who delights to distract, defeat and destroy God's children. He is the expert at sabotage and subterfuge. He is a liar and accuser and will stop at nothing to end our relationship with our Father. There is also the human reality that we live in a broken world, and that suffering and hardship, will at some point be a part of our earthly journey. Gratefully, it is not all this way, but in the thick of the battle, sometimes it does feel like that. Both Job and Stephen remind us that God will see us through, and that the ultimate deliverance is a place where we can never be touched by human suffering and sorrow, and our enemy is forever banished and bound from that place. Praise God! In the mean time, remember the promises and hold onto them. They are for you! God is at work in all of your life circumstances for good (Romans 8:28), and His plan is to bless you...call on Him (Jeremiah 29:11-13).

And, as you journey through challenges, a little humor never hurts. Remember Mother Teresa? She prayed this marvelous prayer: "God, I know you said that you would never give me more than I can handle, but why do you trust me so much?"