Psalms 66 - Refinement of Life

10 You have tested us, O God.
You have refined us in the same way silver is refined.
11 You have trapped us in a net.
You have laid burdens on our backs.
12 You let people ride over our heads.
We went through fire and water,
but then you brought us out and refreshed us.
Psalms 66:10-12 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Yes, God has put me into lots of tests since the day I knew Him. Sometimes I thought I might not make it. Yet He always see me through and refined me more and more through them, like gold being purified through fire. Till now, I know in my heart that I will not deny Christ even if I have to die. For I know where my eternal home is... not of this earth.



Dear Lord,
Thank You that even though You have allowed me to go through 'fire' I was not burnt. Instead I came out purer each time. Continue to purify my heart, O Lord. Let me be perfect as You are perfect. Guide my pathway in all I do. That I will always be in Your will.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 10 - Deep Valley Experience

1 “I hate my life.
I will freely express my complaint.
I will speak as bitterly as I feel.
Job 10:1 (GW)

9 Please remember that you made me out of clay
and that you will return me to the dust again.
Job 10:9 (GW)

18 “‘Why did you take me out of the womb?
I wish I had breathed my last breath
before anyone had laid eyes on me.
19 Then it would be as if I had never existed,
as if I had been carried from the womb to the tomb.
Job 10:18-19 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Job's trust in God got weaker as time went by with all his sufferings and the accusations of his friends. He started to question God and wished to die again.

At one time of our lives we may also have deep valley experience like Job, but in different forms. In times like this our faith will be fully tested. We may argue with or question God and tell Him our true feelings. Our God is a God who wants us to be true to Him and not lying.


Dear Lord,
Thank You for keeping me and seeing me through in times when I had deep valley experience like Job. Thank You that Your word always encouraged me when my faith was weak. May You continue to keep me strong for the rest of my journey with You.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 3 - Wish I Were Not Born

1After all this, Job {finally} opened his mouth and cursed the day he was born.

Job 3:1 (GW)

Reflection of B:

That was exactly what I did when I was a child... I wished I were never born. As an adult, I also had such feeling in many occasions when I felt extremely hurt by people close to me. Yet I never curse God as I remembered what Job did.

In extreme sorrows, we tend to ask many questions and wish to die. Satan will torment us mentally too. Thank God that He sees our every sadness and He will always come to our rescue when sorrows overwhelmed us. That's what He did to me many times. Praise Him!

Dear Lord,

Thank You that You have a purpose for me to be born, though in my sorrows I foolishly wished I were not born. You knew me even when I was in my mother's womb. Though she may not love me, yet I know You love me dearly. May I help someone else to know this good news about Your love.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Job 2 - Tests Within Limit

1 One day when the sons of God came to stand in front of the Lord, Satan the Accuser came along with them.
Job 2:1 (GW)

6 The Lord told Satan, “He is in your power, but you must spare his life!”
Job 2:6 (GW)

Through all this Job's lips did not utter one sinful word.
Job 2:10 (GW)

Reflection of B:

Satan is the accuser, whereas God convicts us through His Holy Spirit. Though God allows Satan to test us, it is always within limit set by Him.

Job truly knew God and didn't curse God though he was suffering. We need to have trust in God just like Job.

Dear Lord,
Thank You that there is no temptation that is too hard for us to bear, for You will always make a way for us to escape. Thank You that I can always trust in You in all circumstances.
In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.