Job 23:8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: 9 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: 10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.”
Here is a truth for all of us. We find ourselves at certain points, some better than others. Some are scary. Some are on the mountain tops. Then I find myself worrying what Satan is doing to bring me off the mountain. Regardless of the point, there are four directions. On a compass there is north, south, east, and west.
This is true for our spiritual life too. One is ahead of us. One is behind us. One is on our left hand. One is on our right hand. Job observed this at a bad point in his life. He couldn’t understand why he was going through it. He said if he went forward, the Lord wasn’t there. If he went backward, he couldn’t feel him. If he went to the left, he still couldn’t behold him. On the right hand God was hidden. This is about life and Job’s assurance. He didn’t say it was a requirement that he saw God before victory. He had confidence whether he turned forward, backward, to the left or to the right. Even though Job couldn’t understand, he could trust the Lord. He was Lord enough to know the way. Verse 10 says “he knoweth the way that I take.”
No matter which way Job turned God was there. That’s how total he is. It’s like living in a bubble of God’s goodness. Above the sphere are troubles and trials, but God knows the way I shall take. He realized if God knows the way, he could trust him. We betray his confidence, but God has never and never will let us down. He’s never walked away. It doesn’t say God will be with us “always.” It said “alway” or whatever the way may be. We have the surety he’ll be there. We don’t have to see it; he has proved it to us.
It’s enough that God perceives. Why do we need the Lord to show us anything else? He already shows us plenty. He shows us the way we should take. It ought to be enough. We don’t know as much as we think we do. It’s better that we don’t. We sometimes give ourselves credit for our own ingenuity. It’s really God. Even though Job couldn’t perceive God, he knew he was there. Our eyes may be closed, but God’s are never closed. Our eyes may be foggy or blurry, but God has more than 20/20 vision. His hand is not broken or withered. He has a strong hand, and he extends it. When I don’t know, he has my hand and it fits just right.
God’s feet were always around Job. Verse 11 says “my foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept.” Though Job stumbled forward into uncertainty, he could see the footprints of God. God has big shoes. When we can’t see him, keep looking; he’s wherever his feet are.
The devil accused Job to God. He was beset on every hand, but he didn’t question God. He knew God knew. It’s what keeps us sane. In this crazy world we can’t make it without him. God knows the way. David said he’ll guide us to glory. Whatever time we have left, God will be there to guide us.
If you go left, trust him. If you go right, trust him. If you go forward, trust him. If you go backward, trust him. God is God and knows the path. That should be enough. Man’s extremity is God’s opportunity to show us how he is. We don’t have to see it or figure it out. “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.”
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 