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Peace in the Agony

James 5:11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered.  You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about.  The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

This verse being given to me today made me smile, especially after Dad's series on Job.  (If you haven't heard it, you should click my 'church home' link and listen.)  On to my thoughts for this one.  Perseverance has been my word for the year.  Every time I ask God what He wants to tell me, I am prompted to read a verse that references perseverance.  Here it is again.  We can be assured by what we know about God from the Old Testament story of Job that God was full of compassion and mercy the entire time Job was in agony.  God stepped back and granted Satan permission to do his worst.  Satan definitely did his best to do his worst to Job, but he still, in all of the ick he caused for Job, he was still not able to overcome the compassion and mercy of God.  God reminded Job of who He is.  Job's response, "My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you."  Job saw the power, the grace, and the glory of God and he was at peace, even in the agony.  As I spent time with my family after receiving some very difficult news, I am able to see how God heard our cries for mercy yesterday and He has shown his compassion.  We will persevere.  We move ahead knowing that God is always ahead of us, preparing the way and cheering us on.  "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?" Amen!

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