Job 23:8-10 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
I have said many times that Job is my favorite book of the Bible. The reason is, that God has used Job’s story to be a great encouragement to me through many of the trials I have faced in my life. Job’s reactions to the unbelievable trials and heartache he faced parallel many of my own. The man Job was real. What I mean is, that he spoke things that I have thought, he gave himself permission to speak openly about what was going on in his heart.
In the above passage of Scripture, Job asks, “Where’s God?’ He at this point in time had lost all his income, his children, many of his servants, his health, his wife has told him to curse God and die, and now he is in the midst of dealing with friends telling him all his problems are his own fault. The only help and hope that he had left was to get in touch with God, and he can’t seem to find him. This was no doubt the darkest time in this man’s life, and he wanted the comfort that could only come from his loving God. Job no doubt was tired of the struggle.
There are times in our life that we find ourselves going through trials that are very difficult to handle. We even give them over to God so He will get us through them. However, we can’t seem to find the God of all comfort when we need Him. We are at the end of ourselves and we turn to the only source of help and hope we know, yet we are left wondering, “Where’s God?” The struggle has become overwhelming and we just want God to take over, but we can’t see Him in our troubles.
As caregivers for our son, Johnny, my wife and I had a lot of battles to fight. We had to fight the flesh, world and the Devil, just like every Christian must do. However, we also had to battle the medical and insurance industries, school system, our own feelings, and even Johnny at times. There were many times that we were weary from the struggle. We sought after God and we couldn’t see him in many situations.
The end of the passage above gives us a great Bible truth that we need to understand. Even though Job could not find God, he knew that God was with him. “He knoweth the way that I take…” We may not be able to find God when the struggle is at it’s worst, but He is diligently watching us. He knows all about our struggle and will bring us forth as gold, something of great value. Our trials are a precious thing in God’s eyes.
1 Peter 1:7 “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:”
Job’s life and testimony have been helping people for thousands of years. He truly did come forth as gold and the Lord will do the same for us. The Bible teaches us to stay faithful through our trials. There is a song that says, “When you can’t trace God’s hand, you can trust His heart.”
Friend, if the struggle is hard, and right now you can’t seem to find God, trust that He knows exactly where you are and building a precious testimony in you that He can use for many years to come. You may be tired of the struggle, but you are never alone.