But He knoweth the way that I take: when
He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
Today I had an enriching time with the Lord...
He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
Today I had an enriching time with the Lord...
During my morning devotions, I read the first two chapters of the book of Job. I then jumped to chapter twenty-three. I followed it with a time of prayer, which helped to quiet my spirit. As I have been very troubled by some bad news which has vexed me considerably.
So this is why, I believe, I found my reading from Job encouraging. In the biblical account of his life, Job lost everything that was dear to him. All his children were killed instantly in a tragedy and his house was destroyed. All his workers were killed, and many of his animals, as well. While many more of his animals were stolen by invaders.
Stunned at the suddenness of such huge losses and rendered nearly speechless at the horror of it, all, Job turned to his beloved wife. But to make matters worse, Job's wife had become bitter overnight. She urged Job to curse God, and die. To give up on life and kill himself. Thankfully, Job wasn't going for it. He did, however, cry to the Lord with great anguish.
Surprisingly, heaven was silent. In the 23rd chapter of the book of Job, I found him calling out to God, wanting an audience with his Maker. Job wanted to know why this was happening to him. Yet, Job's desperate pleas seemed to fall upon deaf ears. God wasn't saying a word. No explanations, nor words of comfort.
But then, from the deepest part of his soul, Job remembered that God was always good to him. That the One Job worshiped was merciful and benevolent. Job knew the Lord as a Being of love and generosity.
So while God chose to remain silent and hidden up to this point, Job somehow came to the realization, that God was not obligated to explain anything to him. It was a time of enlightenment, in that Job began to understand this was some kind of test. That God had a good purpose for allowing His servant to suffer as he was. And it was at this moment when Job uttered what was to become one of the most important statements given in the Scriptures. "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Although Job did not understand the reasons for the test, nor was he at this time aware of the interplay which occurred between God and Satan before Job's trials began, he knew it was not a time to lose faith. Rather, it was a time to trust in the Lord. That the answers to his questions will come one day. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15a).
No doubt, Job's level of suffering was beyond anything we could comprehend. To experience such horrific losses so quickly and with such intensity would be enough to drive someone mad. Yet Job, with his limited understanding as to the reasons for his trial, refused to have anger toward God. He didn't allow for a root of bitterness or disappointment to poison his relationship with the Almighty. Job was a man of strong faith, and an example for all who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
Although in great distress, Job allowed the grace of God to carry him forward. We can learn from Job's experience, that it is not always necessary for a believer in Christ to know why he is going through a particular situation he finds to be both difficult and challenging.
God, as we can see from Job's story, has the right to keep His reasons for allowing something to Himself. While it is the disciple's role to place his trust in the hands of the Lord, fully believing that all things will ultimately work out for his good (Romans 8:28). Likewise, it is my responsibility to follow the Lord wherever He may take me. For I must learn to "walk by faith, and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Knowing this has set my mind at rest.
By the way, in the end, Job received twice as much in return for all he lost. He ended up having seven sons and three beautiful daughters. "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12). A happy ending, indeed!
D.B.
So this is why, I believe, I found my reading from Job encouraging. In the biblical account of his life, Job lost everything that was dear to him. All his children were killed instantly in a tragedy and his house was destroyed. All his workers were killed, and many of his animals, as well. While many more of his animals were stolen by invaders.
Stunned at the suddenness of such huge losses and rendered nearly speechless at the horror of it, all, Job turned to his beloved wife. But to make matters worse, Job's wife had become bitter overnight. She urged Job to curse God, and die. To give up on life and kill himself. Thankfully, Job wasn't going for it. He did, however, cry to the Lord with great anguish.
Surprisingly, heaven was silent. In the 23rd chapter of the book of Job, I found him calling out to God, wanting an audience with his Maker. Job wanted to know why this was happening to him. Yet, Job's desperate pleas seemed to fall upon deaf ears. God wasn't saying a word. No explanations, nor words of comfort.
But then, from the deepest part of his soul, Job remembered that God was always good to him. That the One Job worshiped was merciful and benevolent. Job knew the Lord as a Being of love and generosity.
So while God chose to remain silent and hidden up to this point, Job somehow came to the realization, that God was not obligated to explain anything to him. It was a time of enlightenment, in that Job began to understand this was some kind of test. That God had a good purpose for allowing His servant to suffer as he was. And it was at this moment when Job uttered what was to become one of the most important statements given in the Scriptures. "But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold" (Job 23:10).
Although Job did not understand the reasons for the test, nor was he at this time aware of the interplay which occurred between God and Satan before Job's trials began, he knew it was not a time to lose faith. Rather, it was a time to trust in the Lord. That the answers to his questions will come one day. "Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him" (Job 13:15a).
No doubt, Job's level of suffering was beyond anything we could comprehend. To experience such horrific losses so quickly and with such intensity would be enough to drive someone mad. Yet Job, with his limited understanding as to the reasons for his trial, refused to have anger toward God. He didn't allow for a root of bitterness or disappointment to poison his relationship with the Almighty. Job was a man of strong faith, and an example for all who profess faith in Jesus Christ.
Although in great distress, Job allowed the grace of God to carry him forward. We can learn from Job's experience, that it is not always necessary for a believer in Christ to know why he is going through a particular situation he finds to be both difficult and challenging.
God, as we can see from Job's story, has the right to keep His reasons for allowing something to Himself. While it is the disciple's role to place his trust in the hands of the Lord, fully believing that all things will ultimately work out for his good (Romans 8:28). Likewise, it is my responsibility to follow the Lord wherever He may take me. For I must learn to "walk by faith, and not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). Knowing this has set my mind at rest.
By the way, in the end, Job received twice as much in return for all he lost. He ended up having seven sons and three beautiful daughters. "So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning" (Job 42:12). A happy ending, indeed!
D.B.
