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(John 15:5) “I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit. However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.”

My heart has been dwelling on the effects of allowing pride to come before our relationship with the Holy Spirit. In my case, I was desperate for work as my company's sales had stagnated. Because I didn't "see the Lord working for me as He'd done before," I lost my faith in Him to provide and was doing everything I could to bring in work.

While I was busy doing everything I could think of, my wife was booked on a weekend training course for her new job. She insisted that I take a break (from my increasing grumpiness) and spend the weekend with her, which meant that we got to stay in a fancy hotel and eat nice food for free. As such, I drove her down to the hotel and thought that while she was on the course, I would mooch around the town or visit the beach and surrounding cliffs.

She’d just left for her meeting, and I was about to head out of the room for a coffee when I felt the Lord asking me to stay and open my Bible! “Now what?” I thought disgruntledly. “What did He want to say to me?” Fear and shame suddenly washed over me-I hadn't been in His Presence for ages, and (to be honest) I constantly blamed Him for all my problems!

I offhandedly flipped the Bible open, which fell open to Job, chapter 36. I was staring at the verses with wide eyes when He told me to read from verse 7 …

(Job 36:7 AMP) “... And if they are bound in fetters [of adversity] and held by cords of affliction, Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency]. He also opens their ears to instruction and discipline, and commands that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve Him, they shall spend their days in prosperity and their years in pleasantness and joy.”

(v.9) “Then He shows to them [the true character of] their deeds and their transgressions, that they have acted arrogantly [with presumption and self-sufficiency].”

I was distraught! I left the room while I was still reeling and went to stand on the veranda. He led me to read v.16, which I opened on my phone...

(Job 36:16-21 MSG) "Oh, Job, don't you see how God's wooing you from the jaws of danger? How he's drawing you into wide-open places—inviting you to feast at a table laden with blessings? And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God!

“… And here you are laden with the guilt of the wicked, obsessed with putting the blame on God! obsessed with putting the blame on God!

I staggered back into the room and, looking down at the Bible, read v.21 (v.21 AMP). "Take heed, turn not to iniquity, for this [the iniquity of complaining against God] you have chosen rather than [submission in] affliction."

By now I was sobbing … I felt his comforting Presence and He spoke to me very clearly and lovingly: “Remember who you are ... you are My son!”

Holy Spirit, please touch the heart of whoever is reading this. Draw them into your heart and show them that You continue to speak and answer prayers today. Amen. 

Heavenly Father, giver of life and health: Comfort and relieve those who are sick amongst us—such as Barbara and Ian fighting cancer. We also pray for a quick and full healing for Jay and Liliana. Please grant your healing power to those who minister to all the sick among us so they may be strengthened in their weakness and have confidence in your loving care. We pray this through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.