Title: He Knows My Way
Content: He knows the way I go. (Job 23:10-17)
When God boasted about Job to Satan, Satan raised an objection. “It was not because Job feared God without cause, but because he blessed him abundantly! If you take all his possessions and strike him, you will certainly curse the Lord.” “I put all that he has into your hands. But do not put your hand on his body.” For this reason, great suffering that is unknown to the English language begins with Job.
What was Job's suffering? ①I lost all my possessions in one day (1:13-17). Seven thousand sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred yoke of oxen, five hundred female donkeys, and many servants, but the Sheba and the Chaldeans came and plundered all their possessions. ② All of the children died. (1:18-19) On their birthday, Job's children took turns holding a feast. On that day, they were gathering at the eldest brother's house to have a feast, but when the house collapsed, all ten brothers and sisters died at once. ③ He lost his health. (2:7) There was a boil from the sole of the foot to the top of the head. ④ He lost his wife. (2:9) His wife left the house leaving behind the words, “Curse God and die.” ⑤ I lost all my friends. (1:11-13) The friends who came to console me gave me advice, but I could not help by telling him to repent because he must have done something wrong before God, but it made Job more painful. All the sufferings of Job mean all the sufferings of mankind.
However, Job, who is in total suffering, is praising God. (1:21-22) “God has given everything, and God has taken it all away. Therefore, I will not blame anyone.” Job did not blame the Sheba and Chaldeans who took away all of his possessions, the enemy who killed his children, his wife who cursed him and ran away, and his friends who had left him after accusing him. A person who knows how to be grateful gains two powers by giving thanks. First, the moment you give thanks, all your fears disappear. Second, the moment you give thanks, you become humble. I hope that you will take off the clothes of complaining and put on the clothes of thanksgiving and become believers who give thanks.
All of Job's sufferings were not voluntary, but forced, but they did not end in vain. Comparing chapters 1 and 42, the blessings that Job received after overcoming all hardships are doubled. Previously, he was said to be the richest man in the East even if he had only half, but Job received double the blessing. The number of children was doubled, and the life span was multiplied (140 years). The saints who are in trouble today, sometimes these difficulties can come not because they have sinned, but because Satan is jealous. But God makes the impossible possible. Because the God of Job is my God today, this miracle of restoration happens not only to Job, but also to me. May this blessing be yours.