Reflections
Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he does work, but I cannot behold him: he hides himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knows the way that I take: when he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold. (Job 23:8-10)
The words of Job aptly describe what we can expect in any trial of faith. We will not be able to see God. We won’t be able to find Him. We may appeal to God to show us how to find Him. But God remains silent. And it seems like this is evidence that somewhere along the line we have missed the boat: God is not with us.
In this passage, we see a turning point in the suffering of Job. Despite his despair, he is honest. Despite his admission that he cannot see God, he now realizes that he doesn’t need to see God – for God sees HIM. And that is not only sufficient, but it is, in fact, the place God will bring every one of us so that we might have a more pure faith.
When I cannot see God, I can rest in the fact that God sees me – that is a principle that stands under so very much. When we were yet sinners, God loved us and Christ died for us. When we are ignorant, God takes the initiative to guide us into the Truth. When we don’t know to seek God, God seeks us.
Our faith must ultimately be based upon the faithfulness of God – it comes back to this every time. God can be trusted to act on our behalf even when we don’t know He needs to act. We need not lean upon our own understanding or ability to see God. God sees us and understands us — and is faithful to do right by us in His Son.