Monday - Job 23 - Nightfall

I

have had more than one believer ask me why God hasn't answered their prayers. I'm always forced to speak hypothetically, philosophically, doctrinally, in principle or speculatively. I don't mean to imply that there is no answer or help for a believer who is wrestling with calling out (to what seems to them to be) brazen skies. There ARE practical and productive assurances and exhortations in the Scriptures to help us through such experiences. Here are a few that help me: II Peter 3:9, Daniel 10:12-13, Psalm 66:18, James 4:3 & I John 5:14-15. Still, it is exceedingly rare that I can give any certain answer to such questions. Perhaps that is (in part) because of the very nature of prayer (Matthew 21:22 & 21). Prayer IS an exercise in faith (Hebrews 11:1).

In Job's life he had entered into a phase where it felt like the sun had set. To him, night had fallen and the thick darkness around him prevented him from finding God at all (Job 23:17, 3 & 8-9). Despite his struggles, it was with grand piety that Job still clung tightly to his faith in God. With the same stubborn spirit of confidence that we have found in Job more than once so far, he declared God's faithfulness and wisdom (Job 23:5-6, 10 & 14). That is not to say that he didn't want to plead with God to change the program for him. He certainly intended to do that just as soon as he knew for sure that he had an audience with his Maker (Job 23:2, 4 & 7).

In the meantime, Job apparently intended to continue the manner of living that had been his habit in better times. He had walked with the Lord (Job 23:11). He had highly valued God's words (Job 23:12). There is no reason to imagine that Job intended to do anything differently than he had been. Naturally, his spiritual posture was affected by his pain. He had grown a tremendous fear and reverence for God that was perhaps more distinctly pronounced than it had been before (Job 23:15-16). But, at the end of the day he was still certain that God was both able and willing to do great things with him. What He had set out to accomplish in Job's life was surely a good thing and He would indeed bring it to pass (Job 23:13 & 10). What beautiful sentiments Job expressed in these words, "He knows the way that I take: when He has tried me, I shall come forth as gold." He couldn't see what God was doing, but he was sure that everything would be ok in the end.