Key scripture – “So Satan went out from the presence of the LORD and afflicted Job with painful sores from the soles of his feet to the top of his head. Then Job took a piece of broken pottery and scraped himself with it as he sat among the ashes. His wife said to him, ‘Are you still holding on to your integrity? Curse God and die!'” (Job 2:7-9).

Have you ever had your hope deferred during a season of adversity? The psalmist says, when that happens the heart becomes sick. “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life” (Proverbs 13:12 ESV).

It is especially true during our seasons of adversity that we must hang on tight to our faith to get through each day and entrust our lives to God. When our faith doesn’t see immediate results it challenges what we believe; therefore, we must pray as Job prayed: “Teach me what I cannot see” (Job 34:32). Because there is a purpose in everything we go through.

If you are right in the middle of adversity right now I want to give you a word of encouragement today. God is going to reveal things to you through this season of adversity that you would never receive had you not gone through this. This is part of your calling, even though Satan is the instrument that is being used to bring about the adversity. God is always bigger than Satan’s afflictions.

Your greatest tests come when you cannot see positive results from your faith and obedience, when it looks like nothing is changing, nothing is getting better. In such times, you must die to your expectations and feelings and entrust them to the Lord, because God is doing a thousand things that you cannot see right now. But you will see it, when He is ready to reveal it to you.

God’s affirmation sometimes takes a while to reach us. Sometimes we have to wait on Him to reward our efforts. Think of Joseph’s long wait in prison, prior to the throne. Think of Abraham’s long wait for a son, prior to Isaac’s birth. Though it may seem overdue, righteousness is always rewarded. Don’t be impatient with God. He’ll never forget to reward your efforts for Him. Even though like it at the time the waiting itself is beneficial to you: it tries faith, exercises patience, trains submission, and endears the blessing when it comes.

John Piper wrote, “To wait! That means to pause and soberly consider our own inadequacy and the Lord’s all-sufficiency and to seek counsel and help from the Lord. . . The folly of not waiting for God is that we forfeit the blessing of having God work for us. The evil of not waiting for God is that we oppose God’s will to exalt Himself in mercy. God aims to exalt Himself by working for those who wait for Him.” Wait on the LORD; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart.” (Psalm 27:14).

As A.W. Tozer said, “Problems patiently endured will work for our spiritual perfecting.”

During our trials we need to keep saying: “Let’s just believe God for that. I am trusting the Lord. I’m waiting on God. I’m believing God for that!” Even in the midst of your desperate hard you need to remember, He is Emmanuel — “God with us” and He will give you strength to endure. “But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.” (Isaiah 40:31).

Pray this – Our Precious Heavenly Father, help me to have humble strength to draw near to You today, Help me in my pain and struggle to trust You with the brokenness in my life. Help me to focus on Your enormous love that I could never earn, but I get to receive and enjoy today because of Jesus. Help me to always remember that You will never forsake or abandon me and that everything will work together for my good and Your glory. Teach me Father what I cannot see, fill me with Your Spirit, and give me wisdom to understand. No matter what is going on help me to pray like Habakkuk, and be joyful in You, “Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habbakuk 3:17-18). I cling to You, Jesus, and I put all my weight on Your promises and I pray, in Your Name, Amen.