How to See Hope in the Shadows
Daily Old Testament Reading: Job 19
Daily Focus Passage: Job 19:25-27
The experience of darkness often drives us to places where hope seems to fade. The shadows have a way of creeping in on us and shifting our view to hopelessness and despair. The shadows may exist as moments of physical, emotional, or spiritual pain, but no matter how they manifest, they bring a feeling of distraught. Job walks through a valley of shadows as he experiences great physical pain, tremendous emotional turmoil, and spiritual questioning. Even in the shadows, Job models how we must seek to see hope when navigating through the shadows.
LOOK TO THE FUTURE
In Job 19:26, Job looks to the future, knowing that a day lies ahead when he will see the Lord. This statement reflects a perspective that gazes to the future and rejects becoming captive by the shadows of the moment. Though Job experiences great physical and emotional pain, he holds on to a brighter future where he gets the honor and privilege of seeing the Lord. When we keep the promise of dwelling in the presence of the Lord in perspective, we find ways to see glimmers of hope through the darkest of shadows. If you are journeying through the shadows currently, do not forget that as a child of God, you have to look to the future and hold onto the Lord.
KNOW THERE IS A REDEEMER
In Job 19:25, Job acknowledged that he held to the truth that his Redeemer lives. Job knew that the Lord was living and active. Yet, job knew he could not overcome the shadows in his strength, actions, or ability. Thus, he chose to know that his deliverance from the shadows rested in the Lord, his true Redeemer. When we remember that our Redeemer lives and works, we gain hope because our deliverance does not rest in our strength, ability, or actions. Instead, the presence of the Redeemer means that we have one working to rescue us from the shadows.
TRUST IN THE PROMISE OF THE LORD
In Job 19:25, Job declared that in the shadows he faced, he would trust in the victory that comes in the end. He rested in the promise of the victory that comes only in the Lord. He knew the darkness did not win the war because the Lord reigns as the victorious, warrior King. When we keep the victorious nature of the Lord in our minds, we face the shadows with a different mentality. We recognize their momentary status because of the eternal victory. Thus, we must trust in the promised victory of the Lord and find hope in eternity that outweighs the shadows of the moment.
LONG FOR GOD
In Job 19:27, Job stated that his heart yearned for the Lord. The shadows often cause our desire for the Lord to become challenged. As a result, we often become apathetic toward the Lord or even question his goodness. Job’s statement centers on the fact that he chooses to pursue the Lord when he desires and does not desire the Lord. He yearns for the Lord in the good and the bad. He models the importance of pursuing the Lord no matter what. This statement must become the deep passion and desire of our lives to navigate the shadows in the power and guidance of the Lord.
Everyone faces moments when the shadows overtake life. These moments cause significant pain, struggle, and difficulty, but they do not have to define or destroy us. Instead, we must seek to follow the model set forth by Job and navigate the shadows by gazing to the future, holding on to the reality of the Redeemer, trusting in the eternal victory of the Lord, and longing for the Lord. Seek to find hope through the shadows.
