But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10
To have faith in God’s working and protection over one’s life is not difficult when things are going well. To have the same confidence under affliction and trial is the real test. Not only does a fiery trial prove whether faith is genuine, but it strengthens our faith like nothing else.
Under the most adverse circumstances, the patient Job held fast to his confidence in God. In his deep distress and confusion, Job earnestly besought the Lord. As a child may frantically seek its mother upon noticing that he is separated from her, Job initially rushed before and behind himself in search of his Lord:
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Job 23:8
Feeling adrift and exposed, Job may have been temped to panic after failing to find God. Yet in the stillness of his soul, Job discerned that he was flanked by the Lord on both sides:
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: Job 23:9
To his left, Job may have beheld the demolished house where his children once lived. Perhaps looking to his right he saw scorched hills dotted with the smouldering carcasses of his own sheep. The interpretation of these events by Job’s ‘friends’ urged upon Job’s mind that God had abandoned him. Yet in spite of all visible signs to the contrary, Job’s faith discerned that God was by him on two sides. While the thick darkness which enveloped his path left him with no end in sight, rather than panicking himself out of God’s hand, Job leaned harder upon the Omniscient One. Thus, Job obtained the victory in the heat of the battle by assuring himself that God had a reason for allowing His servant to tread such a path:
But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 23:10
Job had no thought that the Lord would ‘bless the latter end of Job more than his beginning’, that he would yet ‘have seven sons and three daughters’ and would see ‘his sons, and his sons’ sons, even four generations’ (Job 42:12,16). In the trials we face, we must also exercise the patience of Job. Truly, the only logical thing to do is to trust in ‘the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity’ (Isaiah 57:15). While we may see no end in sight, we must believe that God knows every turn of the darkened path we tread. While we may be tempted to feel exposed and alone, it is not helpful to rush forward to unsound conclusions, or dwell upon mistakes we might have made.
Rather, we must rest assured that God sees our plight, and places Himself by our sides. If it were not for our eternal good, the Lord would not permit trials of faith to afflict us. Far from harbouring a stoical unconcern for our well-being, the Lord seeks to deliver us from the affliction, and give us ‘an expected end’.
For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Jeremiah 29:11
Christopher Sparks