Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
This week, I will be writing from the Book of Job and a verse that God spoke to me after the death of my son Joshua.
Job 4:3-6
3 “In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak.4 Your words have supported those who were falling; you encouraged those with shaky knees.5 But now when trouble strikes, you lose heart. You are terrified when it touches you.6 Doesn’t your reverence for God give you confidence? Doesn’t your life of integrity give you hope?
I thought about calling this post” Hope that doesn’t disappoint, but the Holy Spirit reminded me that I had created a word with that already. Usually, I have no idea what to write about, but God placed his words in my heart this morning with a song. By reading my Bible, I have come to understand that God uses many ways to communicate with his people, but you will know that it is him because it will always align with the scripture. Read 1 King 19:9-13 and Numbers 22:21-39 to see how the Lord spoke to his people.
While writing, I became emotional because I felt the way I did when I first heard this verse, but the Lord has kept me, and I thank God that he is merciful and upholds me his word like Isaiah 43:2When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.
I love the way the KJV translation reads that verse Job 4:3-6 3 Surely you have instructed many, and you have strengthened weak hands.4 Your words have upheld him who was stumbling, And you have strengthened the feeble knees;5 But now it comes upon you, and you are weary; It touches you, and you are troubled.6 Is not your reverence your confidence? And the integrity of your ways your hope?
After reading this verse, I felt like I did after watching the movie The Prince of Egypt clip when God reminded Moses that he made man’s mouth.
Exodus 4:8-11
8 The Lord said to Moses, “If they do not believe you and are not convinced by the first miraculous sign, they will be convinced by the second sign. 9 And if they don’t believe you or listen to you even after these two signs, then take some water from the Nile River and pour it out on the dry ground. When you do, the water from the Nile will turn to blood on the ground.”10 But Moses pleaded with the Lord, “O Lord, I’m not very good with words. I never have been, and I’m not now, even though you have spoken to me. I get tongue-tied, and my words get tangled.”11 Then the Lord asked Moses, “Who makes a person’s mouth? Who decides whether people speak or do not speak, hear or do not hear, see or do not see? Is it not I, the Lord?
I went back to watch that clip and will share the link because it was such a wondering but hard truth that I think some of us need to be reminded of when facing unforeseen events that we are called to be strong and courageous Joshua 1:6, putting on the full armor of God Ephesians 6:10 and stand allow God to carry us through Isaiah 46:4 Even to your old age I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save.
Romans 5:5
And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.
Walking through the valley of grief is not always as easy as it may seem because to heal, you have to face what has happened, and that is not always easy. But prayer and worship have helped a lot. When you have to plan a funeral, maintain a house, and take care of other children, plus answer unwanted questions to people you do not have the answers to, it can become overwhelming, but that is where I learned what I like to call strategic prayer. Some may wonder what strategic prayer is, and I am happy you asked, but I am more excited to share. It means praying Scriptures that speak specifically to what you are going through. For example, when I felt like things were becoming overwhelming, I prayed Psalms 61:1-2 O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! 2 From the ends of the earth, I cry to you for help when my heart is overwhelmed. Or when I felt like the enemy wanted to add more pressure to crush me I prayed 2 Corinthians 4:8-10 We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair. 9 We are hunted down but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. 10 Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies.
Father, I acknowledge you as my father and am thankful for how far you have brought me and continue to keep me on this journey. This week, I pray that you would speak a person’s word, that every person who comes healing is available, and you are a restorer. Give them peace that passes all understanding, guarding their hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Until Next week,
The Carpenters Mother