"SHARING HOPE THROUGH SCRIPTURE FOR THOSE WHO BEING TRIED BY GOD"
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
But he knows where I am going. And when he has tested me like gold in a fire, he will pronounce me innocent.
Some explanatory thoughts, application, questions and a prayer:
In this as with most sections of Job, Job was simply expressing what was on his heart regarding the tremendous fiery trial he was going through. Also many of the things he said were in response to the so called wisdom that his 3 friends were giving him.
They consistently told him that his problems had to be because of some sin in his life. And, in Job's case this was not the case as it's often not the case with God's people. They could be being attacked as here by the devil, God could simply be allowing a trial to mature and teach His child. Whatever the case may be, what we have in this verse is the expression of faith by a man who was being severely tested.
1. God knows the way that we take.
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job understood that God understood exactly what was happening in his life. God knew where Job was going.
And so it is with all of us who are in God's Family.
God knows each and every detail, down to the very hairs on our head.
So in the midst of this fiery trial, Job expressed his faith in God.
Job knew that the trial did not in any way change the unchanging reality that God was with Him, and knew Him intimately.
And so it is with you my dear brother or sister in Christ, God is with you also.
2. God tests us, and there will come a conclusion to the test.
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job also understood ( as best he could ) that what had happened to him, and what was happening to him was a trial, or a testing of his faith.
Additionally Job understood that trials are like seasons, they come and then they go.
So Job was looking ahead as it were to the fact that the trial he was in would come to end.
And this is exactly what happens to all of us in Christ.
We are in a trial and the trial will be over at some time in the future.
3. God will refine those He tests, and they will come forth as gold ( refined and purified gold )
Job 23:10 But He knows the way that I take; When He has tested me, I shall come forth as gold.
Here Job expresses more than just knowing he was in a trial.
He explains what he knew was going to happen to him through this trial.
He knew what God would do in his life through the means of this trial.
Job was looking ahead to the future, that time beyond the trial.
Job knew that God was refining him, purifying his life, and he likened what he would become to what happens to gold when it is heated up and the result being a pure gold. The dross is removed and the gold is now minus the dross, and is of purer type.
This is precisely what happens to God's children who trust Him through the trials He allows us to go through.
God refines our faith and consequently changes our lives, matures us, makes us stronger etc, etc.
Some questions:
1. What did you think when you read this verse today?
2. What was the first thought that came to your mind?
3. Were you thinking back to trials you have been through and were saying, "amen" that is what happened to me also?
4. Did this verse give you hope if you are the middle of a trial?
5. Will you believe the truth of this verse today and find the comfort of God in so doing?
A prayer:
Father we will one day meet Job personally and be able to talk to him. Now we only know him through the pages of Your wonderful Word.
We had even heard his name before we were christians in many cases. We know him as a man that suffered so greatly.
And Father we know him as a man who hung in there throughout his ordeal and came out on the other side more blessed than he could have ever imagined. There are many of us who can testify to that in our lives as well.
For Your faithfulness we say "Thank You Lord" And we want You to know what great blessings we receive from Your Word.
In Jesus name, amen.
Pastor Bob Grenier
Calvary Chapel Visalia.
