Job 23:10. “But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
CONFIDENCE. The answers evade us, we really don’t know why These trials come to us, but pass other people by. They live in opposition to God and His unfailing truth And it seems like we are constantly being tested to check our real worth. Of course, our righteousness is not perfect in the eyes of men There are, no doubt, many criticisms about us from all of them. But in spite of all the things they against Christians say – God allows the trials to come and to testify along the way.
Many will not pay attention to our words when we preach. Others will avoid us all they can lest their conscience is reached. Some think the less they know, the less responsible they are – Hoping their personal standards are what God considers par. Believers in Christ need to be reminded it is not the things we know; But the way we conduct ourselves in times of stress is what to others show The difference which is we trust in Christ in spite of all that’s done – And when trials come to those who won’t trust Him, they are on their own.
God has an objective we may never know when through dark vales we pass Those days and night of uncertainty and grief, won’t forever last. Even though He slay me, and if this is the ultimate test – He will not forsake His own, for He promised in Him we would find rest. The testing may take its toll upon our bodies and our strength. It may bring grief and anguish of soul that tests our mind at length. Our emotions may be so tested that we may say things best left unsaid. But to fail the test He sends me is what I mostly dread.
There is some light I can see farther ahead along life’s road. A time is coming when this will be over and I’ll find relief from this heavy load. When God deems fit to lift this off and cast it away from me – I wonder if I will know the reason, He allowed these things to be. One thing I have confidence about, none of this caught God by surprise. He is fully aware of the reasons Satan often tries To bring us down, but God can turn what seems like failure into victory. The dark times of the trial will pass, and may be most important in my history.
“O Father, this year has been one of support more than of pressing ahead to see souls saved. If this is more suitable to Thee, then I am satisfied. But if I cannot be trusted to bring sinners to Thee, I really want to change. Please help me to do whatever will be best to honor Thee and be glad in that service. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
When God deals with us in the refining process, at the beginning we are anxious and may get panicky. Then we may even harbor some bitterness and consequently make unfounded accusations. As the process of refining continues to take place, we do not get used to it, but become more accepting of it when we know the Lord has either allowed it or arranged it. Then we can begin to live with the pain. This is part of the reason we are still here in this ungodly world. We allowed to serve God in adversity during this lifetime which we will not have in our future service after death. The learning process, and training in adversity is greatly enhanced because of problems. There is not the same impact or outcome when we serve in calm complacency.
Job knew God did not have to explain His actions to him. His concern was that he wanted to understand why God was allowing his suffering. He thought he could find peace if he knew that. Our human limitations come far short of understanding divine authority and power. As Job spoke about this, he confessed his ignorance, fear and terror as he considered thoughtfully who God is.
Like Job, when thoughts of God really grasp our intellect and emotions, it softens us, removes self-centered courage and makes us conscious of our great limitations and unworthiness of the least of God's mercies. There is a great sense of loss when a true believer cannot find the blessing of fellowship they once enjoyed.
In the second part of this discourse of Job in chapter 24, Job is wondering why God allows so much injustice when wrong is overlooked, ignored and accepted as normal practice. Job's friends had said that punishment for sin is prompt and falls on only evil people. So why is there so much wickedness going unpunished? Why does God allow evil to continue is a question many ask today as an excuse for their unbelief? The problem with that question is they choose to define wickedness from their own point of view. People reject the fact that sin is in our minds and heart. They do not accept that as being sin. Most consider only the action to be sinful, not admitting the action is only carrying out "the thoughts and intents of the heart." If God punished all sin, not a soul on earth would be alive.
In this chapter Job lists quite a number of civil, social and criminal injustices. The implication was that something was wrong because punishment was delayed. There were crimes committed in the area of property and ownership. There were social injustices in which poverty and homelessness that were not addressed. Some knew what was right and choose not to do it but rather did what they wanted instead of what God wanted.
How grateful we should be for the longsuffering of God. He is "not willing that any should perish," so God gives ample opportunity to our "repentance toward God, and faith in our Lord Jesus," to take place. God has a program of events planned for this earth to bring mankind to believe in Him, and share life with Him. He began with a time of innocence and then moved into dealing with men in their conscience after humanity lost innocence by choosing sin over obedience. People failed to obey their conscience, so God allowed human government which also failed. Then He gave Abraham the "If you do this, then I will do that," way of promises, but that failed. Then He gave laws, ten commandments, which people do not keep, so in our day He deals with us in grace. In the future there will come promised judgment on earth for sin followed by peace.
If Job's last words in the last part of chapter 24 are statements of his faith, or if simply stating what he observes, he is conscious that even if the wicked haven't suffered yet, there will be payday someday. Both the wicked and righteous may suffer or may prosper now. Justice will be served in the future. The conclusion of this discourse is that Job is getting a better understanding of what God does. The wicked should be punished, but in mercy, God lets them have "security" for a short time. If they do not repent but think they are getting away with sin, "His eyes are on their ways." They will "be brought low" and mowed down like grain in a harvest.
We have the benefit of further revelation of divine truth, and can see ahead to the fulfillment of God's promises. The person who believes on the Lord Jesus Christ has everlasting life and shall not perish. The person who does not believe on Him, the wrath of God abides on, and they will endure everlasting punishment.