He knoweth the way that I take… (Job 23:10) O believer, what a glorious assurance this verse is! What confidence I have because the way that I take--this way of trials and tears, however winding, hidden or tangled--He knows! When the furnace [is] heated seven times hotter than usual (Dan. 3:19), I can know He still lights my way. There is an almighty God who knows and directs my steps, whether they lead to the bitter water at the well of Marah or to the joy and refreshment of the oasis of Elim (see Exodus 15:23, 27). The furnace may be hot, but not only can I trust the hand that lights the fire, I can also have the assurance the fire will not consume but only refine. And when the refining process is complete, not a moment too soon or too late, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:10). When I feel that God is the farthest away, He is often the nearest to me. When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my path (Psalm 142:3). Do we know of another who shines brighter than the most radiant sunlight, who meets us in our room with the first waking light, who has an infinitely tender and compassionate watchfulness over us throughout our day, and who knows the way that [we] take? The pain would be removed from many an agonizing trial if only I could see what Job saw during his time of severe affliction, when all earthly hope lay dashed at his feet. He saw nothing but the hand of God--Gods hand behind the swords of the Sabeans who attacked his servants and cattle, and behind the devastating lightning; Gods hand giving wings to the mighty desert winds, which swept away his children; and Gods hand in the dreadful silence of his shattered home. Thus, seeing God in everything, Job could say, The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord: (Job 1:21) Yet his faith reached its zenith when the once-powerful prince of the desert sat down among the ashes (Job 2:8) and still could say, Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him (Job 13:15). ~ J. R. Macduff
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 13:45:00 +0000
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