My favorite book of the Bible is Job. I read this entire book, all 42 chapters, probably 9 years ago or so. It was life changing. I’m in a season where I need to read it again and will be starting a reading plan this evening to do so.

The season I speak of is a season of God being silent in my life. Not only is he being silent in my life but also in my husband’s life. We have found ourselves growing frustrated and doubt keeps trying to creep in. We have asked God some big questions and are trusting we will hear from Him. He’s been silent in regards to these questions where we have asked for direction and guidance so we have been at somewhat of a standstill. To make it even more frustrating, I received a word at the end of 2016 that 2017 would be our year of Jubilee. Right now, it doesn’t look that way at all.

I have to remind myself that faith doesn’t go by what it sees, faith goes by what it knows. I know God’s Word. I know His promises. I know His plans for my life are to prosper me and not for my destruction. So why then, is it sometimes so hard to stand on that Word?

Because the enemy doesn’t want you to. It’s that simple. As soon as you step up onto the Word, the enemy will leg sweep you, or at least try. This is why we have to put on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).  “Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil” – Ephesians 6:11.

I’ve watched myself start out strong in this season with an attitude of faith and I’ve watched myself decline into worry and fear and struggle to keep my faith. My spirit knows the truth – that everything is working itself out for good and for God’s glory – but my flesh and my mind…talk about double-mindedness.

We’ve been waiting for months on answers to our questions and God has been silent. This morning I was thinking about Job and how God was silent when he went through his trials. God was still there, watching, observing, keeping an eye out for His servant. I know God is still here in our situation, watching, observing and keeping an eye out for us. I know our jubilee is coming. I detest that I reached my breaking point and became angry about our situation even though I know His Word. I’ve had to repent for some things. I’ve had to make some adjustments. I’ve had to build my faith back up and constantly remind myself of His Word and promises and rebuke every thought of doubt and fear. I’ve had to bind what needed binding and loose what needing loosing…

…And God is still silent…

This is why I’m reminded of Job. My husband began training last November to compete in Highland Games competitions. It takes great strength and technique to compete. He goes to the gym almost daily and we consider the gym membership as an important part of our budget because he takes this seriously and we know it is a means for a ministry outlet. We only have certain foods in the house and stick to a pretty strict diet with the occasional “treat meal”, as my friend Joy coined it instead of “cheat meal”. He had his first competition this past weekend and did well considering the length of time he’s been training and minimal experience with these very specific events. So he spent four months training for his first competition. He focused. He trained. He did everything he knew to do.

He could have given up on the days that his muscles were sore. In fact, he may not have even started considering last year he was looking at back surgery (healed by God instead!) and some people said it wasn’t a good idea for him to do this. He could have given up out of fear. He could have given up watching the other competitors and how well they do. He could have just said it wasn’t worth it. He would have never known how far he could go or how well he would do on his first try. He would never have seen where his weaknesses are and what he needs to work on so he can do better next time. He never would have been able to learn from the seasoned athletes beside him on the field who showed him techniques and gave advice on how to improve his form.

This morning I thought of Job. A man who was the most righteous of all God’s servants. God was silent and watched while Job struggled. Why? He was training him, strengthening him, giving him more even when he had less. Job broke. Job questioned. Job had to repent. Job had to readjust. Then Job was blessed. Blessed beyond ways he had never been blessed before.

God is silent in our lives right now. I broke. My husband broke. We questioned. We had to repent. We had to make some adjustments. We had to get back up and put on the armor of God. We wait on His voice. We wait and we have faith because we know His Word. We know His promise. We know His truth. This is still our year of jubilee.

Job 42:12 (KJV)

So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning: