(Day 14) Seeking God Through His Word, Prayer, and Fasting

Job 42

During the course of our trials, we discover things about ourselves. The fires of life prove us, expose us, and highlight our strengths and weaknesses. Though we may not understand it, God has a purpose in all that He allows us to go through. For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord (Isaiah 55:8). This fact can cause much confusion and consternation in the mind of those that are buckling under a burden of adversity. In the midst of our suffering, we want to know, "when will it end? why won't God bring me out of this?" and countless other questions that fight against our faith in God.

The story of Job reveals many things to us, including a conversation between God and Satan and how the devil had set his sights on Job, but wasn't allowed to touch him because of the hedge of protection from God (see Job 1:6-12). Then we read 2 very troubling passages; And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, all that he hath is in thy power; only upon himself put not forth thine hand. So Satan went forth from the presence of the Lord (Job 1:12). And the Lord said unto Satan, Behold, he is in thine hand; but save his life (Job 2:6). Here we have God giving Satan permission to devastate Job by taking his possessions (which were great - Job 1:3), his ten children (Job 1:18), his health (Job 2:7-8), the support of his wife (Job 2:9), and attacking his will to live (Job 3:1-26).

I mentioned the 2 troubling verses from Job 1:12 and 2:6; troubling, yes! but even in those verses we see that God is still in control. The enemy has boundaries that are determined by our God. Even though the Lord allows Satan to have at Job, it's measured through what God knows about his servant. God knows what He has put in Job, and He knows what He has put in you. Maybe Job would never imagined that he would survive his test, but through the power of God, he did. It would take seeking God; it would take reaching for Him and a stubborn stance, that All the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my change come (Job 14:14).

There's a confidence we see in Job that we all need for our times of testing. It's what caused him to seek for God through his tears and pain. Behold, I go forward, but He is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: on the left hand, where He doth work, but I cannot behold Him: He hideth Himself on the right hand, that I cannot see Him: but He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold (Job 23:8-10). Job went on an all-out search for His God; and notice his frustration as He looked for his Lord:

1. He is not there

2. I cannot perceive Him

3. I cannot behold Him

4. He hideth Himself that I cannot see Him

Our troubles, problems, and worries, can make us feel the way that Job felt as we seek God and He seems distant and silent. But when our world seems to be collapsing all around us, God is right there. He was there for Job, when his wife wasn't. God was there for Job when he couldn't sense or feel His presence. Through all of his frustration of not being able to locate God, he had an inner confidence that caused him to conclude, He knows the way that I take - meaning, He knows where I am; and even when I can't seem to find Him, He'll come to my rescue. And when He's finish working on me through this trial, I'm coming forth as gold.

The process is often painful, but it brings about the purpose of God in our lives. When we get to chapter 42, after God finally speaks to Job declaring His mighty works and majesty, Job is overwhelmed by the greatness of God. This tragic ordeal that Job endured brought him to a greater understanding of God's splendor and glory. Job said to God, I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee: wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes (Job 42:6). The problem pushes us to pray; prayer propels us into His presence. In His presence, we're made aware of His holiness and our lowliness.

There was a final key that God wanted to use to unlock something in Job. Job called his friends that came to comfort him, "miserable comforters are ye all" Job 16:2. God was not pleased with the friends of Job; And it was so, that after the Lord had spoken these words unto Job, the Lord said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of Me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath (Job 42:7). Job's friends were to take the sacrifices that God prescribed and go to Job and offer them up, and Job shall PRAY FOR YOU: for him will I accept - (Job 42:8).

Here's the key; And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before (Job 42:10). Job was released from captivity THROUGH PRAYER. The situation turned, when he in obedience to God interceded on the behalf of his friends. Even when we're going through, God wants us to continue in prayer for others. We may be hurting, but we're still helping; we may be broken, but we still labor to see others blessed. With this, God is well pleased. When did God turn it for Job? When he prayed for his friends! God gave Job a great restoration as all of his family and acquaintances came to his home with the ministry of comfort and fellowship (see Job 42:11).

In all of your hurt and despair, continue to seek God in His Word; call on His name in prayer; and humble your soul before Him with fasting.

From the heart and hand of Pastor Reginald Reaves