HE KNOWS! HE HAS TESTED! I WILL EMERGE!

Job 23:10 Yet he knows the way I have taken; when he has tested me, I will emerge as pure gold.

 I know that you have probably heard that verse before, and so have I. It is a comforting verse, because it shows us again that there is a purpose in our suffering.(If you haven’t figured out by now, I will enlighten you. An overwhelming theme in Job, is that there is a purpose in our suffering). I want to explain to you the title of our devotion— “He knows! He has tested! I will emerge”.

Job has gone through a tremendous amount up until this point. Job has battled depression, discouragement, and the devil. But, he records this verse and I see 3 very encouraging things, and I’d like to share them with you quickly!

  1. God hadn’t forgotten Job, and He won’t forget you! He says “He knows the way I have taken”. Despite his mental and spiritual state, Job acknowledges that God still knew him. God hadn’t left him high and dry. Take joy today, that the same is true for you. God sees you. God knows you. And God loves you!

  2. Trials will come to an end. “When he has tested me”. There’s an ending. Honestly, in the middle of the storm, it doesn’t seem like it will ever end, does it? We feel as though the rain will never stop; the waves will never stop crashing; we will never be able to get to dry ground again! Your trial will not last forever. Your trial will end. This too shall pass!

  3. God still valued Job, and He values you! “I will emerge as pure gold”. God had not discarded Job. Whenever we are finished with something, what do we do with it? We throw it away. We get rid of it. I love Dr Pepper Cherry Zero Sugar! It’s delicious. But when I am done drinking all of that can of soda, it is of no use to me anymore. I throw it away. When you and I are empty of self, that is when we are most useable to God. That is when we can emerge as pure gold. Your brokenness isn’t wasted! Your trial isn’t unfair, it is useable. It doesn’t show you God has forgotten, but that God wants to use you!

Don’t ever think that God doesnt want to or can’t use you! Dont ever waste your trial. Don’t let Satan tell you that if God loved you, He wouldn't put you through hard times! Expect them! But know this—He knows! He has tested! I will emerge!