SCRIPTURE: Job 42
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. [Job 42:5]
During his hardship, God seemed absent to Job; everything he believed about God was put to the test.
Many of us, like Job, have beliefs about God that do not always fit with life as we experience it.
And sometimes we begin to question what we believe, and even wrestle with doubt.
Is God for real, does God really care, am I really forgiven, is there life after death, why is God allowing me to suffer?
We have heard the testimony of others, and we have chosen to believe what we have heard.
But sometimes its hard to believe it when we have not seen or experienced it for ourselves.
Notice Job’s words, how in the past he had heard about God (and believed), but now he is seeing (experiencing) God for himself!
They told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he replied, “I won’t believe it unless I see the nail wounds in his hands, put my fingers into them, and place my hand into the wound in his side.”[John 20:25] Then Jesus said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and look at my hands. Put your hand into the wound in my side. Don’t be faithless any longer. Believe!” “My Lord and my God!” Thomas exclaimed. Then Jesus told him, “You believe because you have seen me. Blessed are those who believe without seeing me.” [John 20:27-29]
Thomas faces the same challenge; he heard from his friends that Jesus was alive, but he could not believe… until he experiences it for himself.
I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. [Job 42:5]
Jesus says that those who believe without seeing will be especially blessed.
I suppose this is because it is much harder to believe without seeing; it takes greater patience and endurance, it takes stronger faith.
Job is an example to me of the kind of faith that Jesus is talking about, the kind of faith that God honours.
It is not a faith without doubts or questions, but it is a tenacious faith that refuses let go despite the doubts and questions.
Job is blessed by God at the end, even though he challenged and questioned God and struggled with His faith.
This gives me hope, because I feel that my faith is a struggling faith.
And I refuse to let go, despite the questions and doubts.
But I do look forward to the day when I can say, like Job: I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. [Job 42:5]
PRAYER:
Lord, thank You that You do not reject me because of my questions and doubts. May I see (experience) You today with my own eyes!
Once again I am reminded by the reading of today of our ‘graceful’ relationship with the Lord. Man is man and God – God! Knowing Him is life! Hearing Him is a must! And seeing Him makes it complete! My Lord and my God! May it be said of me, eyes he had to see. Ears he had to hear. Hands/Words he had to do as the Lord asked.
As Job prayed for his friends forgiveness, so too I must need to pray more for the world in which I live. Thank You Lord for Your presence encouraging me on my way. Help me to do that which is right. Direct me always in Your Way.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Thou art the Potter, I am the clay.
Mold me and make me after Thy will,
While I am waiting, yielded and still.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Search me and try me, Master, today!
Whiter than snow, Lord, wash me just now,
As in Thy presence humbly I bow.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!
Power, all power, surely is Thine!
Touch me and heal me, Savior divine.
Have Thine own way, Lord! Have Thine own way!
Hold o’er my being absolute sway!
Fill with Thy Spirit ’till all shall see
Christ only, always, living in me.