Lessons Learned In Prayer

Job 42:1-6 Lessons Learned in Prayer Man would have finished the book of Job without an answer. 1. Job's Recognition Of His Deity - 1 Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2 I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. (a) The Proof of His Power - 2 I know

(b) The Proficiency of His Power - That thou canst do every thing (c) The Prevalence of His Power - that no thought can be withholden from thee. - No purpose or plan of God can be stopped by anyone. God's power prevails.

2. Job's Recognition Of His Delinquency - 3 Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

He lacked the:-

(a) Perception to speak. "I uttered that I understood not." (b) Proficiency to speak. "I uttered… things too wonderful for me"

Here he says he also lacked the ability to explain the subject.

(c) Particulars to speak. "I uttered… things which I knew not"

Job did not have all the facts.

3. Job's Recognition Of His Deficiency

(a) His Prayer - 4 Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak:

(b) His Persistence - I will demand of thee,

(c) His Purpose - and declare thou unto me.

4. Job's Recognition Of His Discrepancy 5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

(a) The Progress in His discernment. "From Hearing… to seeing"

(b) The Place of the discernment. "Heard of thee… seeth thee."

Job's increase is in the spiritual area, in the knowledge of God.

(c) The Prerequisite for the discernment. "Now...mine eye seeth"

Now Job has listened earnestly to the voice of God.

5. Job's Recognition Of His Depravity

6 Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

(a) The Cause of His Repentance - "Wherefore."

From heeding God's Voice - He Learns of Sovereignty & of Self.

(b) The Contempt in His Repentance - "I abhor myself." - to loath.

There is no room for self-esteem here.

(c) The Contrition in His Repentance - "I… repent." - About Turn

(d) The Conduct in His Repentance - "I… repent in dust and ashes."