“But by means of their suffering, He rescues those who suffer. For He gets their attention through adversity.” Job 36:15 NLT
I believe that God is going to protect and provide for His devoted ones who look to Him during this pandemic. I also believe that the fact that He is allowing this crisis means that He is trying to get our attention. It’s unfortunate that, human nature being what it is, He often has to get our attention “through adversity,” as the verse above says.
I think it’s entirely possible that God is tired of competing with things like Netflix, social media, games, and sports for His children’s attention. (Parents, can you relate?) I have no doubts that this Coronavirus crisis is a wake-up call for Christians to stop giving so much of our attention to worldly things, and to start paying more attention to the things of God. Our generation may be the most distracted generation of all time. As believers, we should know better than to allow the devil to distract us from our God, as well as from our God-given purpose.
I looked up the definition of the word, “attention,” and it says, “The regarding of someone or something as important.” Every day, we prove what is important to us by giving it our attention. The Bible makes it clear what God wants us to give our attention to most. Proverbs 4:20-21 (AMP) says: “My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn; open your ears to my sayings. Do not let them escape from your sight; keep them in the center of your heart.” (Proverbs 4:20-21 AMP) Each and every day, the Lord has things that He wants to teach us and show us. Only by paying attention to His Word, having a willingness to learn, and putting His principles into practice, can we receive all that He has in store for us. And that can include health and healing. The very next verse in this passage says, “For they are life to those who find them, and healing and health to all their flesh.” (v. 22) Giving our attention to the Word of God ministers life and health to our whole being. Glory to God!
The Easy-to-Read translation of Job 36:15 (ERV) says: “God saves those who suffer by using their suffering. He uses their troubles to speak in a way that makes them listen.” Don’t miss the positive message in this verse. Yes, it’s true that God is using adversity and trouble to get our attention. But it’s also true that He is “using [our] suffering” for a good purpose, which includes drawing us closer to Him, and preparing us to minister to a lost and hurting world in a greater way than ever before. God has something wonderful to say to you today. Are you listening?
Lord, please forgive me for the times that I have given more attention to worldly things than to You. Make me a good and faithful steward of the time You give me on this earth. Fill me with a hunger for Your Word and Your truth. Make me “willing to learn” so that I won’t miss out on the extraordinary blessings, rewards, and opportunities You have for me right here and now. Thank You that as I continually give my attention to You and Your Word, You will draw me closer to You, and You will mold me into a mighty world-changer for Christ!
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