I both hate and love the Old Testament story of Job. Job, a good man with a good family, acquired both wealth and esteem during his life. In a deal with Satan, God allows Job to lose his wealth, servants, and even his children. Job then loses his health. I have a hard time understanding that.
But Job hangs in there. What bothers Job most is he can’t speak to God directly to defend himself. In the midst of Job’s pain and frustration, He utters to God:
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Surely then you will count my steps
but not keep track of my sin. (Job 14:15-16)
For the first time I noticed the phrase, “You will count my steps.” Later in chapter 31 after listening to his friends saying sin must have caused his troubles, Job replies to their challenge saying, “Does he not see my ways and count my every step?” (v. 4).
I love this about Job! Even in his pain, Job sees God is counting his every step! In the good times and in the bad times. Job knows that God is with him and is glad God is watching his every step.
The idea that God counts our every step captivated me because this year I made a goal to average 12,000 steps a day. Here is what my count looked like at the end of yesterday.
But Job hangs in there. What bothers Job most is he can’t speak to God directly to defend himself. In the midst of Job’s pain and frustration, He utters to God:
You will call and I will answer you;
you will long for the creature your hands have made.
Surely then you will count my steps
but not keep track of my sin. (Job 14:15-16)
For the first time I noticed the phrase, “You will count my steps.” Later in chapter 31 after listening to his friends saying sin must have caused his troubles, Job replies to their challenge saying, “Does he not see my ways and count my every step?” (v. 4).
I love this about Job! Even in his pain, Job sees God is counting his every step! In the good times and in the bad times. Job knows that God is with him and is glad God is watching his every step.
The idea that God counts our every step captivated me because this year I made a goal to average 12,000 steps a day. Here is what my count looked like at the end of yesterday.
You’ll notice I’m behind what I need to do to reach my goal of 12,000 steps a day. There have been months that taking steps were difficult. Illness, loss, and busy schedules all impact the steps we take. What you don’t see on my step counter is even though I’m behind, I still have walked over 3.5 million steps this year!!
Reading the story of Job reminded me that God has been with me every step of the way. Even with my many missteps God is not counting my steps to keep track of my sin. Whether we count them or not, we all walk a lot of steps in this life. More steps than we even realize. Like Job, do you trust that God has made a way for your missteps and sins to be forgiven and forgotten? Like Job, are you glad God is with through the ups and downs every step of the way?
Reading the story of Job reminded me that God has been with me every step of the way. Even with my many missteps God is not counting my steps to keep track of my sin. Whether we count them or not, we all walk a lot of steps in this life. More steps than we even realize. Like Job, do you trust that God has made a way for your missteps and sins to be forgiven and forgotten? Like Job, are you glad God is with through the ups and downs every step of the way?