Know God!

Know God!

1Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 2I know that thou canst do every thing, and that no thought can be withholden from thee. 3Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not. 4Hear, I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me. 5I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. 6Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. (Job 42:1-6)

We have all read the story of Job, how he was honest, inside and out. He was a man of his word, who was totally devoted to God and hated evil with a passion. Job was also very wealthy. He had seven thousand head of sheep, three thousand camels, five hundred teams of oxen, five hundred donkeys, and a huge staff of servants-the most influential man in all the east! Job loved God so much that even when his sons would take turns having parties in their homes along with there sisters, he would get up early the next morning to sacrifice a burnt offering for each of his children, just in case they sinned.

God allowed Satan to attack Job, taking his fortune, his family, and even causing boils to come on his body. What Satan was really attacking was Job’s motives, saying that Job was the way he was because he had no reason to turn against God. He wanted to prove that Job worshipped God not out of love, but because God had had given him so much! I believe that many Christians today can be viewed in this way; follow God only when everything is going well or for what He can give them. Job lost all he had through no fault of his own. As he struggled to understand why all this was happening to him, it became clear that he was not meant to know the reasons. He would have to face life with the answers and explanations held back. Through this would his faith fully develop. If you ever experience life like Job did, take it one day at a time, and trust God, even if you don’t have complete answers to all life’s questions.

Throughout this book, Job’s friends wanted him to admit his sin and ask for forgiveness. Job did finally repent, but not because he had sinned, but he repented for questioning God’s sovereignty and justice. Job repented of his attitude, and acknowledged God’s great power and perfect justice. It was after Job repented, and prayed for his three ignorant friends that God made him prosperous again. God then allowed Job’s family to come and comfort him and each of them brought a piece of silver and a gold ring. God also gave Job double of what he had before.Daniel 11:32b declares: “but the people that do know their God shall be strong, and do exploits.” The next time you are going through, trust God. If you can trust Him through your pain, confusion and loneliness, you will win the victory and eliminate one of Satan’s greatest footholds in your life; doubt! Just like in Job’s conclusion, you too can be restored, if you know God. Know God, know power; no God, no power!