Craig Clouston

You’re My God…Period!

Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him.

Job 13:15

Ernie and Doris had experienced great joy in thirty-seven years of marriage, and like many others, they had also experienced many hardships. Through it all, they had unceasingly maintained their faith that Jesus was in control of everything in their lives; the good and bad alike. Ernie was fond of saying, “If Job could do it, so can we.”

But lately, circumstances had taken a turn for the worse in the Beard household. They had both lost their jobs, the bank was ready to foreclose on their mortgage, and, to make matters worse, their only car had broken down with more than two-hundred and fifty thousand miles on it.

“There’s smoke coming from under the hood, Ernie,” Doris said over the phone. She had gone to town to get medicine that the doctor had prescribed upon Ernie's release from the hospital yesterday.

Ernie paused before responding, he was reaching the end of his rope. He took a deep breath and asked, “Do you think you can make it home?”

“It wasn’t making any noise…” she said. “I guess so.”

“Call me when you leave,” Ernie instructed, “so I’ll know if you’re stranded somewhere.”

“It’ll be about five minutes.”

Ernie bowed his head, “I’m tired, Lord. But no matter what…You’re my God. That will never change. Period! But we could use a little help here…”

†

Can you relate to Ernie and Doris? Have you ever felt like no one else in the world has ever endured as much as you have…and all in the Name of Jesus? “Why won’t/doesn’t God deliver me/us from this?” “I’ve/we've already been through enough! How can He expect me/us to handle this, too?!” All you want is a little relief.

You are not alone. Many devout Christians, like Ernie and Doris, endure nonstop hardship for extended periods of time. Why? Because there is no shortage of trials, tribulations, and pain in this life.

We all, from time to time, feel ‘left hanging’ by the same God we refuse to deny. But I want to reveal something to you; search your heart. Regardless of what you’re going through, would you, as Ernie and Job, be able to do anything other than proclaim, ‘You’re my God…Period!’

Prayer

“Praise be to the One and only true God, and His Son, Jesus Christ! You are my God…Period! Amen!”