In the middle of Job’s heartache and despair, he speaks something profound.
What is man, that you make so much of him, and that you set your heart on him. Job 7:17 (ESV)
Let that sink in. God loves us. So much that in His mercy, we don’t get what we deserve — an eternity separated from Him in a place of constant torment. Yet, in His grace, we get so much that we don’t deserve.
- We can have a relationship with Almighty God through His Son Jesus Christ and spend eternity with Him in paradise.
- We can have meaningful relationships with people here on earth.
- We can enjoy the beauty around us.
- We can enjoy food that not only sustains us but tastes good.
- And we can listen to music that brings joy to our souls.
God sets His heart on us.
There are many places in the Bible that tell us to set our hearts on God. But in this verse in Job, we find that God also sets his heart on us. We can rest in that fact. We can find love, experience care and receive blessings.
I recently listened to a song by Jeremy Camp – Keep Me in the Moment. This song encourages us to live with our eyes open so we don’t miss what God has for us. It goes on to say that nothing is wasted when everything is placed in His hands.
I had to think on that. I waste time when I don’t place things in his hand — specifically the time worrying about something that may or may not happen.
The cool part is that when I was writing this post, the scripture at the bottom of that day’s page in my journal spoke directly to this same thing.
Give your burdens to the LORD, and He will take care of you. Psalm 55:22 (NCV)
I have worried about a decision I needed to make — unable to get it off my mind. But when I placed the burden of that decision in God’s hands, I could focus and spend my time on what God DOES have for me. And I could be confident that He is not withholding blessings from me.
He blesses us when we hand our worries and fears to Him.
And not only that, but our sweet surrender of every moment to God brings peace and joy. While Jesus said He would go to prepare a place for us so that we could be with Him one day, He also said that we could have joy in THIS life.
I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. John 15:11 (NIV)
God is sovereign. He is in control. Yet He sets his heart on you and me. Let’s live with our eyes wide open and look for joy in the moment.