Psalm 118:5  I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

Looking at distress as being the opposite of a large place, because the Lord sets us in a large place, then what is to be learned?

I think narrow, similar to narrow is the way to salvation. Narrow in this case is a limited choice, difficulty turning, if not impossible. All you have is what lies ahead. In this situation your vision of what lies ahead is also limited, there seems to be no good outcome.

Distress implies dread, a fear of what the end result might become. There is also one more aspect which narrow point out, no room for anyone else, a loneliness. Here at this point we should cry out to the Lord who never leaves us nor forsakes us.

Setting us in a large place now gives room for others, comfort, support, fellowship, and an end to loneliness. Yes it is comforting to have the Lord close in times of stress but setting you in a large place is His way also.

A call, a visit, a note, a text and a prayer are signs that the Lord is working in your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to quell those fearful emotions and loneliness.

Romans 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

My brothers and sisters in Christ, you are the good thing, loving fellowship, that works good. You are the extension of love and grace which has been planted in your heart with purpose.

Ephesians 3:17-19 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.

Job 29:2 Oh that I were as in months past, as in the days when God preserved me;

With these words Job continues to tell his story of his glory days.

Job 29:20 My glory was fresh in me, and my bow was renewed in my hand.

Ah, the glory days, the vigor of youth, daring confidence, and a glowing look at all the good we did without a worry or concern for anything negative. It is after all our memory, our telling, it is our story.

Just be careful in telling it around anyone that was there during those days. It might not look the same through the eyes of others. Even if it was, what of it? What does all that have to do with today?

Isaiah 43:19a Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it?

Job’s disclaimer was that he walked with God and suddenly all the blessings that came from that relationship were withheld from him. Job refused to believe that the withheld blessing had anything to do with his actions or attitudes. It was God’s right to do as He pleased.

Job 1:22 In all this Job sinned not, nor charged God foolishly.

As I study Job and his reactions to his circumstances, I see different things at different times. Maybe it is because my situation changes and I have a new perspective. This is what I see today.

Reflective memory can blind me to what God is doing in my life this day that is a new thing.

Or, looking back is not looking up.

Job’s circumstances were extremely difficult. I must admit they were worse than mine today. My situation is not a character in a book, it is real and it is present.

The same lesson still applies.