In our last visit we discovered that there is excruciating pain when one endeavors to endure psychological distress. In the darkness of the valley of the shadow of death Job held on by faith. He persevered in spite of his deep distress and God rewarded him.
Job chapter 38 begins with the words, “Then the Lord answered Job out of the storm.” Yes, Job was experiencing a fierce storm in his life. He had been tested by the loss of all he possessed as well as his children. His health failed. His marriage was stressed. His friends pushed him to the brink psychologically. Now he was facing the most severe test of all: the spiritual test.
God says in verse 3, “Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me.” He discovered this was totally different than trying to answer a despairing wife or insensitive friends. When God spoke his normal reactions shrivel up.
God pressed further in chapter 40, “Will the one who contends with the Almighty correct Him? Let him who accuses God answer Him!” The spotlight of God’s holy, awesome presence was on Job. Listen to Job’s humble confession: “I am unworthy – how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer – twice, but I will say no more” (verses 4-5).
The spiritual storm continued to rage. The Lord speaks again in verse 6. When God finished Job confessed in Job 42:5-6: “My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
God had brought Job to where he could be blessed again.
