Seeing the Big Picture

‘He performs what is appointed for me...’ Job 23:14 NKJV

Sometimes God permits things, other times He actually plans them. Either way, He’s got a definite plan in mind. In the midst of unspeakable heartache, Job said, ‘He performs what is appointed for me.’ When you realise that God has ‘appointed’ something for you, it changes how you see it. It’s like flying. On the ground your view is limited, but 3000 metres up everything looks different. Now you’re seeing what God sees: ‘the big picture’! The Bible says that after Job came through his trials he was blessed with twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Does that mean if you lose a $50 000-a-year job you’ll get back a $100 000-a-year one? Or that your chequebook will always balance, or your car never break down, or your health never fail? No, sometimes God rewards our faith with things we can’t measure in monetary value-such as relationships, joy, character, peace you didn’t have before, a fresh sense of purpose, protection from danger, favour with others, a clearer understanding, more compassion, and intimacy with Him. What value would you place on those? Here are three things you need to keep in mind at all times. First, God wants you to trust Him in whatever you’re going through (Psalm 138:8). Secondly, when it’s your responsibility, God expects you to fulfil it (Ecclesiastes 9:10). Thirdly, in order to bless you, He will sometimes move in ways that are hard to understand or explain (Ecclesiastes 11:5). Why? So that when the answer comes there’ll be no doubt about Who should get the credit.