To Turn Them Back

 “God does all these things to a person — twice, even three times — to turn them back from the pit, that the light of life may shine on them.”

— Job 33:29-30

Gracious Lord Jesus, my friend and my King,

You have a vantage point that I do not. In Elihu’s speech to Job, he describes how God works to turn someone back from going down to the pit, to ransom them and restore them. God does these things to a person, often repeatedly, to turn them back from destruction and lead them to His light of life. This is evidence that God plays the long game. He has an eternity and omniscience that humanity does not possess. He is able to see far over the horizon and in fact sees past, present, and future all at once.

Lord Jesus, thank You for having a much bigger picture in view. Thank You for seeing my future and for using hardships to turn me away from my own destruction and bring me to Your light of life. I trust that You are doing the same with those I love. You are using today’s trouble to lead them to a purposeful future. While I see only the here and now, You see the longer timeline.

Lord, today I trust Your process. I believe that Your ways are good even when circumstances are bad. I put my faith in Your ability to see eternity and You know what You are doing. Thank You for playing the long game to turn those I love back from the pit and into Your light of life.

— In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen!

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