Job 23:10 was a verse we heard regularly when our family was going through tough experiences. Mother had a resilient faith in God that was unshaken by what was happening in the world around her. My mother’s favorite scripture was, But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10).
My mother’s favorite verse was spoken originally by Job. Job had no explanation for his circumstances and his reversal of fortunes. He had lost his family, his wealth and his health. He was flabbergasted and flustered. He knew he had done nothing wrong and was blameless but couldn’t understand why these things had happened. He took the view that many today have: if I press all the right spiritual buttons and avoid the wrong buttons, I am guaranteed that God is obligated to bring good things to me.
But Job felt that God was nowhere to be found. He said, If only I knew where to find him; if only could go to his dwelling! (Job 23:2) He added that whether he went north or south, east or west, he could not find God. Job felt like God had abandoned him. But underneath these very real feelings, Job was certain of one thing. He said, I may not like what’s happening to me and I may not understand why it’s happening, But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold. (Job 23:10).
Let’s face it, there are times, at least in the short term, when life is not pleasant. We all go through these times. When we do, life is perplexing, questions abound and faith is tested. When our family went through times like this, Job’s words were an anchor for my mother’s faith and ended up anchoring the faith of our entire family.
What specifically did Job say in the midst of his confusing circumstances?
I AM CONVINCED HE KNOWS WHAT’S HAPPENING IN MY LIFE
Job said, But he knows the way that I take…
It’s good to know the way that you are taking. It’s important to know you are going in the right way because it is possible to miss it. There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12).
If you are going the wrong way, you are going to end up in trouble. The road you chose to follow is going to determine your ultimate destination.
But Job did not say, “Make sure you know the way that you are taking…” That’s important but that’s not what this verse is talking about. Job said, He knows the way that I take… Whether or not you know the way you are taking, he knows the way you are taking.
That can be good news or bad news, depending on which way you are taking. If you are going the right way, he knows and that’s good news. If you are going the wrong way, he knows and that’s bad news because you aren’t going to get away with anything. He knows where you are going to end up if you keep going the way that you are going.
When Job spoke these words, they were words that brought comfort, confidence and encouragement. They were words of conviction.
Job wasn’t terrified that God knew all about him. He was saying, this is fantastic! God knows what I’m going through. He knows all about my trials and my testings. He knows I’ve lost my family, my friends, my health and my farm business. He knows my motives have been pure and I have sought to worship God. He knows the way that I am taking. No one else may know, but he knows and that’s all that really matters.
What was the way Job took? Job was a devoted family man with seven sons and three daughters. He never awakened in the morning without praying for his family and he offered up sacrifices for them. Why? His main concern was not his vast business enterprises, his main concern was his family. Job was a man who loved and served God. Job took that way of integrity. In fact, that’s why the devil picked Job as his test case before God.
Job said there wasn’t any detail of his life that God doesn’t know. And there is no detail of your life he doesn’t know. His knowledge is perfect and complete. He doesn’t see just what’s on the outside, he sees what’s on the inside. He doesn’t see just what’s on the surface, he sees below the surface. He doesn’t see just what others see, he sees everything. He knows everything about everything that concerns your life. He knows all about you.
He psalmist said, You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar.… Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. (Psalm 139:2, 4).
Job began with the word but. Whenever you see the word “but” you know there is a contrast. What’s the contrast about which Job was talking? Job 23:8-9 tells us. But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him. When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him. Job said, I can’t find God, I can’t see him.
Have you ever had experiences when you said, “Where are you Lord?” You said, “I’m going through this trying experience and I don’t see you anywhere.”
That’s how Job had been feeling, but he didn’t stay there. He said, I can’t see you, but I know you can and you do see me. He said, Lord, it doesn’t concern me that I don’t know the way that you take, but you know the way that I take and that gives me confidence. I may not understand this thing that I am going through and I may not be able to explain it to my friends, but Lord, I know that you know me and you know where I am and you know the situation.
This was a testimony of my mother that anchored our family. She would often say, I don’t understand, but I am not going to complain. She didn’t become critical. She didn’t understand some of the things she went through, but her faith didn’t waiver. She had a deep conviction that God wasn’t going to abandon her or forget about her.
And it is a testimony of many others whose faith is strong and who have a deep conviction in the faithfulness of God. You have a faith in God that has been tested over the years and you are convinced that even if you don’t know the ways of God, you know he knows the way that you take.
I have a word for those who are going through a trial and are confused. You may have lost your house. You may be out of work. You may be facing a critical illness. Remember the words of Job: But he knows the way that I take. Hang onto those words with deep conviction.
I AM CERTAIN HE IS GOING TO TEST ME
Job said, when he has tested me.
Job didn’t say “if” but “when?” There was no ”if” about testing for Job. Job acknowledged he was going through a time of testing.
There is not one believer who will escape testing and trial. Job expected it. He knew it would happen, even if he didn’t understand it. He knew testing was certain even though he did not know when or the extent of it.
Peter wrote, Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1 Peter 4:12).
James wrote, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).
Trials come. They are part of the package of life that comes to all people and they are part of the Christian experience. Trials come in all shapes and forms. There are financial trials, physical trials and relational trials.
With some people, you know all about their trials because they love to tell everyone. With other people, you never knew about the trials they go through. They go through them in silence.
Note the One who does the testing. God does the testing. Job said, when he has tested me.
The devil tempts you to make you fall; God tests you to make you better.
Remember this: the One who allows the testing loves you. The One who tests you will not allow you to be tested beyond your capacity to endure it. The One who tests you doesn’t want to make life hard for you; he wants to make you a better person. He doesn’t want to hurt you, he wants to gain glory through your life.
When testings come, they are real. You feel the trials you experience. They touch every fiber of your life and are unpleasant, but remember, when you are being tested, he knows the way that you take.
I AM CONFIDENT EVERYTHING WILL END UP GREAT
Job said, I will come forth as gold.
I will: confidence and certainty.
come forth: there’s light at the end of the tunnel.
gold: there is glory up ahead.
James wrote, Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12).
The Book of Revelation says, Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. (Revelation 2:10).
You can hang onto those words regardless of what you are going through. What God has started in your life, he is going to bring through to completion. You may be going through a time of testing today, but there is another day coming.
Testings produce gold in this life. Testings make us better people. That’s why some of you are so nice. You’ve come through a lot of testing.
Testings produce gold in the life to come. Whatever testing you are going through now, be assured it will not last. There is more than this transitory experience on earth. There is a better day coming. Take the eternal view.
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