Oh that I may find Him: Job 23

Job is being troubled by a God whom he cannot see. "Behold, I go forward but He is not there, and backward, but I cannot perceive Him; when He acts on the left, I cannot behold Him; He turns on the right, I cannot see Him." (Job 23:8-9) He cannot see Him, yet he knows that He's there. Job knows that God is real and that He is actively involved in the affairs of men. To Job, God is not someone who is afar off but one who is very near, though unseen. Job also knows that God is not indifferent when it comes to His creation. God actively watches over all we do. And Job is convinced that his suffering is from God. "For He performs what is appointed for me, and many such decrees are with Him." (Job 23:14)

Deep down, Job knows that the things he is saying against God are wrong. Job himself testifies, "Even today my complaint is rebellion." (Job 23:2) Job knows his words are wrong, yet his suffering has blinded his reason. Yet in the midst of his pain and confusion, Job still has a glimmer of hope. "Oh that I knew where I might find Him, That I might come to His seat!" (Job 23:3) Job's hope was that he might find God. Job's hope was in God.

When we face difficult times, its tempting to run here and there looking for help. We talk to our friends, our pastor, and anyone who will listen. Sometimes we even visit the Christian Bookstore to find a book that might help us. While all these things may be good, we sometimes fail to go to the one place where we can find true help in our time of need. Why is it that "God" is often the last place we try? Paul reminds us that we should go to God first. "Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

Job understood that only God had the answers to his questions. Job knew that God alone had the help he needed in his difficult time. Job's hope was that, in the midst of his difficulty, he might find God, for Job knew that if he could find God, then everything would be alright. Peter also reminded us of this when he said to "fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 1:13) When we face times of trouble and difficult, what we need is a revelation of Jesus. We need to see Him high and lifted up. He need to see that He is in control of our circumstances. And we need to hear from Him His words, that we might have strength in our struggle.

When were hurting, let us remember where our true help lies. Let us not be quick to look for help here and there, but let us go straight to the source, let us seek the Lord and, when we find Him, all will be made well.

David Robison