This pericope of “Job’s repentance and restoration” tells us how Job came out of his life crisis and became more than a conqueror. There is always a blessing after a crisis. Hence, our heart should continuously seek God; and our eyes be fixed towards the future. Trust that there is a wonderful plan waiting for us after going through the crisis. If you choose to trust the Lord, be firm, do not hesitate and stop having negative thinking. Despite bad situation that happens around us, don’t let our hearts be discouraged.
1. Knowing God
Job 42:1-2 – Then Job replied to the Lord: “I know that You can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.
“I know that You...” This sentence shows that, in the end, Job knew God, and he humbled himself before Him. When we go through life crisis, all the theories we hold onto will be challenged. If our faith is merely a theory, we will be shaken during crisis. Knowing God ≠ Knowing about God. Knowing means deeper than merely knowing about, there is personal intimacy in that relationship.
“......can do all things; no purpose of Yours can be thwarted.” This sentence describes Job’s personal declaration – a statement that explains that Job knew God. Even though Job still had many doubts in his life, ultimately, he chose to be satisfied with knowing God.
When you are in doubt, don’t overthink beyond the measure of faith that God has given. Learn to control yourself before your heart becomes uncontrollable. God cannot be fathomed by our logics, His ways are higher than our thoughts.
2. Be still and surrender to God
Job 42:3 – You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my plans without knowledge? Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know.’
Curiosity should have its limits. It doesn’t mean that we do not think or use our minds, but our thoughts must be led by righteousness, by the Holy Spirit. It doesn’t mean that we don’t use our logical mind, but we need a renewal of mind.
Often times, we need to be content and be at peace in not knowing everything. Faith works when we do not know anything yet we still believe. After trying our best efforts, surrender to God. Our cluelessness will teach us to remain humble before God.
3. Listen with our heart
Job 42:4 – “You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’
Faith comes by hearing; but not all who hear the Word of God grow their faith. “Listen” was used here, which means listening with our heart; listen carefully and not in one ear and out the other.
Listen carefully and let us not misheard God’s Word. In the midst of crisis, our spiritual ears often become deaf and our hearts become despondent. God rebuked Job not because Job was wrong, but because Job was impatient to listen carefully.
4. Living by the Word of God
Job 42:5 – My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.
Spiritual growth (in knowing God) happens when the Word of God is applied in daily lives. Do not follow God merely with knowledge but follow Him with your actions.
Crisis will enable us to choose – to scrape away our flesh or to allow the flesh to control us. Job chose to scrape away his flesh in crisis; as a result, he could experience an amazing spiritual awakening. Job learnt to see the final result of crisis is blessings and not eternal failures. Choose how Job faced Crisis in his life - the choice is in your hands!
5. Humble our heart before God
Job 42:6 – Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.”
Job repented in dust and ashes, not because he made a mistake. Job was a godly man all his life, however, our godliness and our goodness are not comparable with God’s holiness. If it is not for sins, what made Job despise himself?
- Self-righteousness
Let us not think of ourselves as always right. Do not make a conclusion about yourself of others before we listen enough from God. People who listens from God – their hearts will not be self-righteous and neither be disappointed towards God nor life. On the other hand, they will easily see hope and also answers.
- Pride of heart
Arrogance or pride of heart; Job felt arrogant because he felt entitled. We cannot brag ourselves in front of God. Be sure to humble yourself! Let everything that happen to us be according to God’s will. When we surrender our hearts, He will raise us up.
Excerpted from Ps. Philip Mantofa’s sermon, 7 June 2020, Sunday Service, GMS Surabaya Barat
https://youtu.be/_rTP7QNT1ts
Despite bad situation that happens around us, don’t let our hearts be discouraged. Our ship can sink, but as long as we still have our two feet based on our faith, we can still walk on water with God.
