This year I’ll walk us through Job 23:1-12 as a prayer focus for our souls.
After Job’s life and character are described in chapter one, God expressed His confidence in Job as a man who fears God and shuns evil. Satan, who appeared from roaming the earth, states that Job’s great faith is rooted in God’s abundant blessings. But if stricken with difficulties, Job would curse God. God allowed Satan limited permission to bring trials. The following twenty chapters provide the interactions of Job and his friends as they ponder from their earthly perspective why God allows such loss of family, health, and wealth.
Job’s journal continues in chapter 23 as he searches to trust God in his adversity.
1 Then, Job replied
2 “Even today, my complaint is bitter; his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 If only I knew where to find him; if only I could go to his dwelling!
4 I would state my case before him and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would find out what he would answer me and consider what he would say to me.
6 Would he vigorously oppose me? No, he would not press charges against me.
7 There, the upright can establish their innocence before him, and there I would be delivered forever from my judge.
8 “But if I go to the east, he is not there; if I go to the west, I do not find him.
9 When he is at work in the north, I do not see him; when he turns to the south, I catch no glimpse of him.
Job desires to know God’s address (vs.3) so he can meet with Him to state his arguments (vs.4) of complaint and confusion and find God’s answers (vs.5), analysis, and acceptance as his heavenly judge. Then, in verses 6-7, Job expresses assurance that God will not vigorously oppose him but establish his innocence and deliver him forever. So he actively searches east, west, north, and south but cannot catch a glimpse of Him. Although his search appears fruitless, Job anchors his mind and soul in the Almighty God who knows him.
“But He knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold.”
Job agrees that God is testing him but with the divine purpose to become like gold. He knows God as the “refiner and purifier of gold and silver who creates righteousness in His people.” (Malachi 3:3) He accepts God’s counsel “to buy gold from Him refined in the fire, so he can become rich in God’s ways.” (Revelation 3:18)
Lord, as we live and minister in these days of pandemic and war, help us anchor our soul in You, our Almighty God, who knows us. Guide us Your way to become like gold.
