But Now My Eye Sees You

"Then Job answered the Lord and said: 'I know that You can do everything, and that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You. You asked, "Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?" Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. Listen, please, and let me speak; You said, "I will question you, and you shall answer Me." I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You.'"
(Job 42:1-5)

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You."

Let's read that again, maybe out loud this time.

"I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, BUT NOW MY EYE SEES YOU!"

Oh my goodness! Job's heart-knowledge of God has been born of his sufferings! Although he knew of the Almighty, believed in the Almighty, walked "blameless and upright, feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1), Job's knowledge had come from others, by "the hearing of the ear", if you will. But NOW, at the end of his intense trial of suffering, Job says, "now my eye sees You" (verse 5).

Job now has personal knowledge - personal revelation - of the majesty, the sovereignty, the actual REALITY of El Shaddai, God Almighty! Job has obtained heart-knowledge - faith, faith that is more precious than gold.

What allowed Job's suffering to produce personal revelation? He engaged the Lord God throughout his ordeal. He questioned God, some might say Job challenged God. I believe Job trusted God enough to be honest with Him. Job didn't play the religious games. He didn't promote his own self-righteousness.

Job presented his arguments before the Lord (Isaiah 41:21) and then he humbled himself and waited for God to reveal His purposes to him.

I don't like suffering anymore than the next person, but I have learned not to be consumed by the hard times.

Suffering has taught me Who God is.
Suffering has caused me to run and hide beneath the shadow of His Wing.
Suffering has taught me how powerful God is and how powerful I am not.

Through very difficult times, I have begun to understand the mysteries of God.

Many of you are suffering. I know this. Realize that you have been given an opportunity to KNOW the Lord God intimately! How many people can say that? Could it be that He knew your heart so well, He knew that you would choose to love Him, regardless of the pain? Ask Him to help you find His Light in the darkness. Ask Him to comfort you - not generically, "Oh dear God, please be with me..." No! He IS with you. Ask Him to allow you to know His Presence, to FEEL His embrace!

Ask Him to open your eyes to see His lovely face.

Praise You, Father! This is such an important lesson. Thank You for the powerful insights You have given me through my darkest moments. I am so thankful that You have revealed Yourself to me in such personal ways. Lord, there are no words to express my gratitude for this. I ask You to grant glimpses of Your nature to my friends who seek You. Teach them to look for Your treasure. Awaken their hearts to know You more. You are awesome, Lord. You are beautiful beyond description.