Worn Out!

We may possess many things that can wear out and get used up. When that happens we usually simply discard them; throw them into the trash. Stuff can be replaced. However, what becomes of our life when we feel we are being WORN OUT? Are we used up? After Job noted what miserable comforters his friends were ( Job 16:1), he went on the say the following about God.

We read. . .
"(6) If I speak, my pain is not assuaged, and if I forbear, how much of it leaves me? (7) SURELY NOW GOD HAS WORN ME OUT; he has made desolate all my company." ( Job 16:6-7 ESV)

Words did not take away Job's pain. It remained there with Him. Answers were not coming either from his friends or from God. In the waiting he had grown weary, even seeing God has having WORN HIM OUT! Was he all used up? No, he would still be used by the God in Whom his focus needed to remain.

WORN OUT BY GOD! There is a great sense in which that is what I need. I need God to wear me out. I need to be worn down so that my focus is taken off of self and placed on Him. Sometimes I need for God to let me go through certain circumstances of life to remind me how much I need to daily depend on Him. When I try to get through things on my own strength I need to be WORN OUT and WORN DOWN by my own efforts. I need to remember I cannot make it on my strength and wisdom alone. I need God and He desires to avail Himself to me. At times He has waited patiently for me to lift my gaze Heavenward to acknowledge His mindfulness that has always been there.

With God we can continue to look to Him for renewal. (note Isaiah 40:30-31 & 2 Corinthians 4:16) He is the great sustainer of life and the holder of its promise of a blessed eternity. That is the ultimate blessing He desires to bring; to have us forever with Him. However, has He properly gained our attention to bring it about? Have we humbled ourselves enough to truly acknowledge it is not all up to us, but we are to surrender more fully to God for the strengthening of our life?

Ultimately God used Job on behalf of his friends. ( Job 42:7-9) Job was elevated by God in their sight. Though Job pressed on without the answers he sought, his humility before God was deepened and his trust and reliance on God were all the stronger. May we not discard the confidence we can have in God ( Hebrews 10:35-36) as we rejoice in His power to sustain us until the time for Him take us home as He has promised.

Have a great day SURRENDERED TO BE SUSTAINED!
Carl

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