Job never knew what was happening in heaven. He never knew that he was at the centre of some great heavenly battle. This perspective would not have provided an adequate explanation for his suffering but it may have helped him through. Job didn’t know he was at the centre of a heavenly battle, but we do know that about ourselves. We are told this in the Bible (Ephesians 6:10ff). There is more spiritual activity around your life right now than you could even begin to imagine. Principalities and powers are at war over you. Heaven is watching you all the time, at times grieving and at times rejoicing. There is more to life than work and play. There is much more. “Seek first God’s kingdom and his righteousness,” said Jesus (Matthew 6:33). You are a portal of God’s kingdom on earth. Your life is a light in dark places. You are a vessel of the glory of God sent to shine in dark places, and God may take you to dark places. Like Job, it is your worship and your desire for him that makes you shine. As God was glorified in Job’s determination to hold onto God so he wants you also to shine. Our lives are determined and distinguished by what we pursue. You are shaped by what you pursue. If you seek the light of God’s presence, then you will be filled with light and you will shine in the darkness. It’s better to have hardship and be filled with light than have pleasure and be filled with darkness.
Reflect on those parts that you have found most impacting.
Read Job 1 and 2 again
