Look Upward, Not Inward

I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made the heavens and the earth! Psalm 121:1-2

As a pastor, I have the opportunity to hear many people’s life stories. Sometimes the pain they tell me about is unimaginably difficult. And, sadly, these people’s friends and family have compounded that pain at times.

Job knew exactly how these people feel.

Job’s righteousness made him an appealing target for Satan. One day Satan approached God, and God pointed out Job to him. God was confident in his servant, so he granted the devil permission to test Job (see Job 1:8-12).

Satan took Job’s possessions, livestock, livelihood, even his children. And if that weren’t bad enough, he afflicted this righteous man by covering his body with horrible sores. The devil spared Job’s wife, but she was no comfort to him. Instead, she told him to “curse God and die” (Job 2:9). Job still had his friends, but one by one they came to him and said what many might say to a hurting friend today: “All of this must be because of some secret sin.”

My wife and I know a couple who had to endure just that kind of accusation. They had pulled away from a legalistic, guilt-ridden, self-righteous church so they could attend one that taught biblical truth. They had been gone just one week when they received news that their baby daughter had a terminal illness. The pastor of the church they had just left visited them but offered no comfort. Instead, he told them that their daughter’s illness was a judgment from God for leaving his church. Fortunately, this couple knew the truth, and for that reason they understood that what the pastor had told them was completely wrong.

If you are walking with God and tough times come, don’t look inward for a “hidden” sin. Instead, look upward and find hope.

Jesus, grant me the insight to know when I am simply battling life and not being punished for something I didn’t do.