My God knows the way that I take
Job 23:8-10
8 ¶ Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
9 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:
10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Job 3:17 There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.
Ps 34:19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all.
For the man or woman that serves God with all their heart, there are promises that we must hold on to.
The way has not been gauranteed to be easy, but we are assured that His grace will be more than sufficient as we continue forward in our pilgrim walk.
Job 14:1 Man that is born of a woman is of few days, and full of trouble.
I. A Craving for God
Job desired to get to where God was at (vs. 8,9) There are times when He seems to be hiding. We can't seem to find Him, but we are very aware that He is alive and well and working in our behalf.
Ps 42:1 As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
David, like Job had a great thirsting and desire to know and behold God.
Afflictions, troubles, and trials will abound in our lives, but must not deter us from continually seeking after Him.
The problems of life will only draw the child of God closer to his Lord. Job had his focus on drawing closer to God and not on amplifying his personal dilemna.
Job craved to get to God for various reasons:
1. JUSTICE. Everyone around seemed to have an opinion about why Job was going through the trial of his life. God knows/knew the truth and Job knew that when God showed up, it would all be made right.
2. For an AUDIENCE. Job was accustomed to spending time with God. He longed to have that renewed communion.
3. STRENGTH. From personal experience, he knew that the strength he needed to get through this prolonged storm could only be found in that personal encounter with the Lord.
Isa. 40:31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
4. JOY. Ps. 16:11 - In your presence is fulness of joy.
Without joy in our time of tribulation, it becomes almost intolerable.
II. Consolation From God
"He knows the way that I take"
-God knows our thoughts and the intents of our hearts
-He knows the number of hairs on your head
IL.:The 5th Sparrow
Mt. 10:29,31 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Lk. 12:6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?
-There was a young man who was converted and someone asked why he got saved. He declared that it was because of the odd sparrow. The inquirer did not understand and asked, "what do you mean about an odd sparrow?"
He explained about the verses in Matthew and Luke that spoke of two sparrows for a farthing and then five sparrows for two farthings. He went on to say that when he was a boy they would sell birds in pairs and then throw in a extra bird as a bonus, because it was really worthless. But Jesus said that not one of them is forgetten by God. How incredible! As worthless as I am, yet God has not forgotten me.
No matter how you feel about yourself, God has not forgotten you.
III. Conclusion of the Matter
"I will come forth as gold"
God is orchestrating the trial of your life.
Like a diamond in the rough, the blows that seem to hit so hard, are shaping and forming you into something of even greater value.
God has the end result in mind.
Jer. 29:11 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.
Our Lord puts limits on our trials. He promises that it will not be more than we can take/bear.
1 Co. 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
He also has promised us that we will not face the trials alone. He stated, "Lo, I am with you alway".
Real gold is not afraid of the fire. It can only purify it more, thus making it even more valuable.
