“How close to the shore are you?”

Have you ever been in a boat or ship with the storm blowing all around you? Have you ever been fishing in a boat and a storm suddenly pops up?

In the Bible, we read the story of Job. He was a devout man who had seven sons and three daughters. They were his “entire world.” He would sacrifice unto the Lord every day to ask forgiveness for his family because “maybe they had sinned.” He was so blessed by the Lord… 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 she asses, and a huge household. He was the richest man in the east.

But God put him to a great test… Some Bible scholars say that Job’s trial may have lasted 70 – 80 years, but even if it was months, he suffered horribly. The enemy had come and stolen all of his “she asses” and oxen, killed all of his servants and the rest of his animals, and yet, while these men were telling Job all that he had lost, a third man came to say that a house fell upon all of his children and killed them. That was his “first trial.” When Satan comes before the Lord, he is granted power to be able to “touch Job’s body,” but he is not allowed to kill Job. So now, Job is struck with putrefying boils that covered every inch of his body, from his head to the bottom of his feet. He lost everything… His wealth, his children, his health, and his dignity. Job is now “in the middle of his storm,” and he cannot see daylight. He is “close to the shore,” but he is tired of swimming. Maybe he has already been in his trial for months or years. He cannot feel God at all… Job said, “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him.” (Job 23:8-9)

Experts say that many people drown “when they are close to the shore.” Why? Because they are tired of the fight. You may feel like you’re “tired” of swimming. You may feel like God is a thousand miles away, but He’s not! He’s right there. Just as Job is about to give up, he gets his strength back. “When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” (Job 23:10) So keep on swimming… You are not as far from the shore as you think! Keep your eyes on the prize!!! Just a little further and God will see you through! Sherry