The book of Job has forty-two chapters. In the first forty-one chapters, Job experienced the loss of his health, his wealth, and his family. He questioned God over and over again, but only got silence as an answer. But he kept walking with God, and said, ‘When he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold’ (Job 23:10 NIV). Notice these three things about gold-making: First, to become gold, we have to go through the fire. Second, the degree of heat and the amount of time needed is decided by the refiner. Third, if we try to rush the process, we end up with a less valuable substance, like tin. God told Joshua, ‘I will give you every place where you set your foot.’ In other words, ‘To get what I have promised, we must “walk out” the process.’ American poet C.V. White wrote: ‘The [person] who succeeds never waits for the crowd. [They] strike out for [themselves}. It takes nerve, it takes a lot of grit, but the [person] that succeeds has both…Success is the accomplishment of that which people think can’t be done.’ Complacency, fatigue, doubt, criticism, and discouragement are everyday hurdles we must constantly overcome. And to do that, we need to keep on walking. There’s a common thread throughout the Bible: when we really need Him, God shows up and does for us what we can’t do for ourselves. The rest of the time – which is most of the time – He strengthens us and says, ‘You have to “walk out” the process.’
