Job 23:8-10 Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 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: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
The above text leads to a myriad of questions. Could it be that God purposely hides His plan from our eyes in order to develop our necessary trust in Him? Could it be that our trials and difficulties of life are created by Him for the benefit of our eternal future? I submit that while we cannot see the path, the Lord always knows the way and He is in control.
It took some time before Job came to this reality. He looked for the Lord, but could not find Him. God and His purpose was hidden to this great man. Yet Job knew enough about the Lord that he boldly proclaimed, “But He knoweth the way that I take…” Who could say such a thing? Perhaps there was no greater trial than what Job faced. He lost everything in a single day. His life’s work was wiped out. His family was gone and his wife offered a bitter reply, “why don’t you just curse God and die?” Job’s friends turned out to be judge and jury, without a single ounce of wisdom or compassion in their collective voice. However, Job said, “God knows where I am. God hasn’t left me. He knows right where I am and when I get through this, I will come forth as gold.”
This is the word that whatever issues you might face in this life, God still knows where you are. Even if you cannot find Him; even if He “hideth himself” from you, God is working a perfect plan in your life. You might be deterred but that does not mean you have been denied. You will experience loss and suffering but that does not mean that the Lord has left you. There is an end to the thing and Job gave the answer: He knows the way that I take and when this is over I will come forth as gold.
Pastor Jeffrey Harpole