so because Jessica reminded me that i haven't been blogging, i shall write a blog now. thanks Jessica.

so if you've ever studied, or even read Job, you've gotten a glimpse of what extreme suffering looks like, whether you've ever experienced it for yourself.

Job had no idea what was going on in heaven between God and Satan. But he still trusted God. Though loss of family, livestock, possessions, and health. Though his "friends" mocked him and wrongly scrutinized him for things he hadn't done. Though his wife tried to persuade him to curse God...through all of that, Job remained faithful.

i admire Job and his faith in God's hoped-for deliverance. Job probably never thought, "Wow. What i'm going through really stinks, but someone out there is writing my story down in the history books and one day, Jordan Smith is going read about me and be encouraged." but God knew.

be encouraged. when the going gets tough, God doesn't leave you behind or let you rot away. He's bring you through this world and on to something more wonderful than we can even fathom. He brings us to Himself. He has saved us into community with Himself, which is exactly what we need and truly crave...and He knows it.

all praise be to You, God, my light and my salvation!

Glory to God alone!