November 4 | Bible in a Year: Jeremiah 32-33; Hebrews 1

He Knows

But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold. Job 23:10

READ Job 23:3, 8-12

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“Why is God silent?” asked the young mother. “Where is He in the loss of our child?”

I was familiar with her questions, remembering those times when my husband and I had longed to hear from God, only to find ourselves sitting in His waiting room. His silence was beyond our understanding.

However, God can still be found in the pages of His Word, where we meet those who have experienced similar situations to ours. Take Job, for example, struggling in his pain, yet, all the while, giving us insight into God’s sovereign purposes.

“If only I knew where to find him,” Job complains, “if only I could go to his dwelling!” (Job 23:3). It seemed that wherever Job searched—east, west, north, south—he couldn’t so much as catch a glimpse of God (Vv. 8, 9).

Yet after pouring out his heart, the heartbroken father added a big ‘BUT’, completely changing the perspective. “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I will come forth as gold” (v. 10).

Job didn’t allow what he didn’t know about God to destroy what he did know. Neither should we. For what God does should never be separated from who He is. God is near, whether or not we feel it. He has a plan, even if we don’t see it. And when the testing is all over, we shall be changed—for the better (v. 10).

By Catherine Campbell

REFLECT & PRAY

How do you react when God seems distant? What steps can you take to change how you feel?

Heavenly Father, in the tough situations of life help me to trust Your heart when I can’t see Your hand. Thank You for Your care over me.

SCRIPTURE INSIGHT

The date and author of the book of Job is unknown. Some scholars suggest that Job lived at about the same time as Abraham and that Moses is the author. When Job’s three friends heard about his sufferings (Job 1–2), they offered an explanation. Over three rounds of debate (Job 4–14; 15–21; 22–27) they argued with Job that suffering is always a result of sin ( 4:7–9; 8:4–7). Rejecting their explanations, Job sought to find an answer directly from God (23:1–5). At a time when Job needed Him most, God was seemingly absent (vv. 8–9). Yet despite the silence and lack of answers, Job entrusted himself to God’s ways and drew strength from God’s Word (vv. 10–12).

K. T. Sim

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