I want you to know …

Have you ever had a really bad day? Not just a bad day, but an everything-feels-like-it-is-falling-apart day.

This man, let’s call him John had just had a really, really bad day! Now to prove that I am not exaggerating, this is what happened to him.

John was minding his own business, when one of his workers came running as quickly as his legs would carry him. In between his huffing and puffing from the run, the worker told the story of how all of John’s donkeys and oxen were stolen, and all of the workers looking after the animals became collateral damage, and that he was the only one able to escape to tell John.

I can imagine John’s mind doing calculations while his worker was talking which may have been something to the effect of, “That is only 1,000 animals, I still have another 10,000 and plenty of workers to look after them, it’s not great, but it will be alright.”

Another worker had arrived a few moments before the first had finished talking, once he had got his breath, he quickly added, a fire consumed the sheep and the servants, I was the only one who got away… At this point John would have become worried, “That is 7,000 sheep, all I have left are my 3,000 camels. How can this be happening?”

To cut a long story quite short, another worker arrived, and broke the news that the camels had also been stolen, and before John had the chance to mourn the loss of his entire business. Another worker arrived and told him that all of his 10 children had been in an accident where the house collapsed on them, and sadly they did not make it. John went from being the wealthiest man in the East to a man having only his wife and 4 workers with no work to do. All in a matter of moments.

As you can imagine, John was hurting, this had been a very, very bad day indeed. But little did John know that very shortly he would also end up with sores covering his entire body.

Despite his wife’s encouragement to, John had not given up on God. His friends had also been saying some pretty hurtful things, but John wouldn’t give up God.

However, he did ask God why. And God’s response can be found in Job chapter 38. Where God pretty much says, okay, you’ve asked questions, now it’s my turn. With these questions He reminds John how incredible God is, how wise He is, and that even when we don’t understand God, He truly can be trusted.

Some of the questions were as follows: “Where were you when I (God) laid the earth’s foundation?” (Job 38:4) “Have you ever given orders to the morning” (Job 38:12) “Do you know when the mountain goats give birth?” (Job 39:1) “Do you give the horse his strength?” (Job 39:19) “Does the hawk take flight by your wisdom?” (Job39:26) “Does the eagle soar at your command?” (Job 39:27)

How incredible is it that God not only cares about when the goats give birth, He gives strength to horses, shows the hawk where to fly, He created the earth and hung it in the sky. This powerful God wants to know you, He wants to be there for you when you are having a good day, a bad day or the worst day imaginable!

In a person’s darkest time it can be difficult to see how good God truly is. But in those times I encourage you to spend time in nature with God. Look at all the incredible things He has made and cares for. And know that He made you and cares so deeply for you too.

*Please note, John’s actual name was Job, and his story is found in the Bible in the book of Job.