Can I Know The Will Of God? Pt. 29 God Allows Trials To Refine Our Faith

Job 38:1-3  Then the LORD answered Job out of the whirlwind, and said, 2)  Who is this that darkeneth counsel by words without knowledge? 3)  Gird up now thy loins like a man; for I will demand of thee, and answer thou me. 

Jehovah appears unexpectedly in a whirlwind, which is often a symbol of judgment (See Psalm 50:3, Psalm 50:4). Job had challenged Him to come so that he could plead his case before God. Jehovah tells Job to get himself ready to give an account. 

Can he explain the phenomena of God’s natural government? No, he cannot. Therefore, how can he hope to understand the principles of His moral government? 

God  confirms Elihu’s view, that submission to God's ways, instead of reasoning about them, is man’s part. This and the disciplinary design of Job's trial, is the great lesson of this book. 

Job 10:1,2  My soul is weary of my life; I will leave my complaint upon myself; I will speak in the bitterness of my soul. 2)  I will say unto God, Do not condemn me; shew me wherefore thou contendest with me. 

Job demanded several times that he should have an audience with God and that he would be exonerated (Job 6-7; 9).

Notice, Job said that he will say unto God that He should not condemn Him. Then, he would demand of God what is the reason for contending with him.

Romans 9:19-21  Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who hath resisted his will? 20)  Nay but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus? 21)  Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour?  

Paul explained why Israel was temporarily set aside, so that Gentiles would hear gospel preaching. He pointed out the same argument that Job made. 

Job was saying "Why does God find fault in me? Who has resisted His will?"

Yet, Paul reminds us that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God and no man has any right to question or challenge God. 

The thing formed has no right to say to is Creator, why did you make me like this? It is in the power of the potter to make one vessel for honor and another to dishonor. 

In other words, God is sovereign in His dealings and as created beings, we have no right to demand answers from God. This was a lesson God taught Job, and that He must teach us also.

Job 40:1,2  Moreover the LORD answered Job, and said, 2)  Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? he that reproveth God, let him answer it. 

After several chapters telling Job about His power and wisdom in governing all things, God turns to Job and gives him an opportunity to answer. 

Job 40:3-5  Then Job answered the LORD, and said, 4)  Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. 5)  Once have I spoken; but I will not answer: yea, twice; but I will proceed no further. 

Job immediately recognized his sin of speaking against God. He replied that he was vile before Him and would not answer any further. 

Jehovah follows this with two more chapters instructing Job about the things of God that he was ignorant of.

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

Jehovah gave Job another opportunity to reply and Job confessed his sin and repented. He declared a right view of God that He knows all thoughts, including the wrong thoughts Job expressed. 

Job confessed that he said things about God that were presumptuous and ignorant. He declared that he had heard of God by the ear, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. 

Now, that he stood in the presence of God, he abhorred himself and repented in dust and ashes.

Job 42:10  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's story concludes by God turning the captivity of Job that was inflicted upon him by Satan's evil purposes. Job prayed for his friends who offered only condemnation of Job for sinning and who lacked an understanding of who God is. 

Then, his family returned and Job's wealth was restored twofold. In addition God gave him seven more sons and three more daughters in place of those who have been killed. 

Thoughts to Ponder...

The permissive will of God may permit us to suffer the loss of wealth, land possessions. 

The permissive will of God may permit physical afflictions in our lives.

Yet, the permissive will of God is designed to teach us to walk by faith, leaning upon His everlasting arms. 

He will always teach us something that we need to know when we go through a trial. He will always refine us into a purer gold when we pass through the fiery trials that come our way. He will always work things out for our good and His glory.

May we rejoice in the Lord, knowing that whatever trials, troubles or afflictions that the future may hold for us, it will be done for our good and for His glory.

Bob

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