In times such as these it is important to reflect, to own, and to admit our sorrow.
The goal of this reflection is that you might recognize your own hurts or doubts and begin to seek God in the midst of them, do not seek solutions as you go through this reflection.
There are times when we feel that God is far removed from us, that he is not near us in harsh times.
read the following passage from Job (NIV Translation) and reflect on times when you have felt God was distant.
Job 23:8-10
8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there;
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13429A" data-link="(A)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
10 But he knows the way that I take;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13430B" data-link="(B)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
when he has tested me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13430C" data-link="(C)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> I will come forth as gold.
if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him;
when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13429A" data-link="(A)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
10 But he knows the way that I take;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13430B" data-link="(B)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
when he has tested me,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-13430C" data-link="(C)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> I will come forth as gold.
Even in the midst of extreme hardships it is important to remember that for those who have chosen to follow God, they will not be abandoned. Read through Psalm 16 (NIV) and write down your own version of it.
Keep me safe,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14094A" data-link="(A)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> my God,
for in you I take refuge.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14094B" data-link="(B)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
for in you I take refuge.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14094B" data-link="(B)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
2 I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14095C" data-link="(C)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
apart from you I have no good thing.”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14095D" data-link="(D)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
3 I say of the holy people<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14096E" data-link="(E)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> who are in the land,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14096F" data-link="(F)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097G" data-link="(G)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> will suffer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097H" data-link="(H)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097I" data-link="(I)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> on my lips.
apart from you I have no good thing.”<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14095D" data-link="(D)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
3 I say of the holy people<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14096E" data-link="(E)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> who are in the land,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14096F" data-link="(F)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097G" data-link="(G)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> will suffer<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097H" data-link="(H)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14097I" data-link="(I)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> on my lips.
5 Lord, you alone are my portion<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14098J" data-link="(J)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> and my cup;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14098K" data-link="(K)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
you make my lot<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14098L" data-link="(L)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> secure.
6 The boundary lines<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14099M" data-link="(M)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14099N" data-link="(N)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14100O" data-link="(O)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
even at night<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14100P" data-link="(P)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14101Q" data-link="(Q)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> I will not be shaken.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14101R" data-link="(R)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
you make my lot<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14098L" data-link="(L)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> secure.
6 The boundary lines<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14099M" data-link="(M)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14099N" data-link="(N)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14100O" data-link="(O)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
even at night<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14100P" data-link="(P)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
With him at my right hand,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14101Q" data-link="(Q)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> I will not be shaken.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14101R" data-link="(R)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
9 Therefore my heart is glad<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14102S" data-link="(S)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14102T" data-link="(T)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103U" data-link="(U)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
nor will you let your faithful<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-14103b" data-link="[b]\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>[b] one<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103V" data-link="(V)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> see decay.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103W" data-link="(W)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
11 You make known to me the path of life;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104X" data-link="(X)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
you will fill me with joy in your presence,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104Y" data-link="(Y)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
with eternal pleasures<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104Z" data-link="(Z)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> at your right hand.
my body also will rest secure,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14102T" data-link="(T)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103U" data-link="(U)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
nor will you let your faithful<span class="footnote" data-fn="#fen-NIV-14103b" data-link="[b]\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>[b] one<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103V" data-link="(V)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> see decay.<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14103W" data-link="(W)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
11 You make known to me the path of life;<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104X" data-link="(X)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
you will fill me with joy in your presence,<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104Y" data-link="(Y)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”>
with eternal pleasures<span class="crossreference" data-cr="#cen-NIV-14104Z" data-link="(Z)\” style=\”box-sizing: border-box; font-size: 0.625em; line-height: 22px; position: relative; top: 0px; vertical-align: top;\”> at your right hand.
Read through both passages: write down the words and phrases that stick out to you?
This time use your own written version of psalm 16 to pray to God.
In Step With God 