a study in Job: don't just hear... SEE! (part 8)

Then Job answered the LORD: “I am unworthy - how can I reply to you? I put my hand over my mouth. I spoke once, but I have no answer - twice, but I will say no more... I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted. You asked, ‘Who is this that obscures my counsel without knowledge?’ Surely I spoke of things I did not understand, things too wonderful for me to know. You said, ‘Listen now, and I will speak; I will question you, and you shall answer me.’ My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.” (Job 40:3-5; 42:2-6)

We are soon coming to the end of our study in the book of Job. To be clear, I truly debated calling this a "study" to begin with since I know the great depths of truth that are available for discovery and discussion in these 42 chapters of scripture. However, in the interest of time, we have only skimmed the surface of Job's story within this blog series by offering a form of cliff notes on the book's varying key points, if you will.

That said, today I've decided to pause in writing the conclusion to our series in order to strongly encourage every DW to take some time out to read, meditate, and pray over each chapter in the book of Job. You see, I know God has so many more lessons to individually teach each of us from this applicable book. But only those who faithfully take the time to seek Him in private, in obedience, and in humility, will see Him more clearly and learn His everlasting truths.

With this in mind, not only do I believe it is important for us to show up and worship His higher ways (as discussed in yesterday's blog),... but I also know that as we stand speechless in His astounding sovereignty, and as we consider the journey this series has taken, we must also be deliberate to actually take in and retain the full lesson our Teacher wishes to share from His perfect study material... the BIBLE!

Ladies, my heart is heavy this morning, as I am compelled to urge each of you of this: please... please..... do not miss abiding in God's Word fully - especially as we are soon to finish discussing the book of Job. This key section of scripture contains the longest dialogue offered from God in one book of scripture. His Words should definitely not be skimmed over, but slowly savored and digested! For we cannot know the intricacies of all that our Master wishes to teach us by merely reading one or two daily devotionals. No, this is GOD that we must make the effort to know! This is the God that Job got to know! Sure, he believed in God's greatness as so many of us do... but only after Job sat and absorbed the full truths offered by the Creator of heaven and earth were his eyes opened to really see GOD's Higher Ways as they applied to his own life!!

"My ears had heard of you, but now my eyes have seen you!"

This is sooooo important! We too must follow Job's example and absorb what God has said to us. However, if we do not take the necessary time to know our King, we will "obscure His counsel without knowledge". In short, we will quickly fall into doubt and lose sight of His sovereign love and fulfilling plan for our lives. I definitely don't want that!... Do you?

Tomorrow, we will finish our study in Job. But today, I encourage you to just stop in awe of God. Take as much time as you need to read and pray over every word the Master says within this important book. And while you continue to stand speechless in His presence, allow the perfect Teacher, the sovereign King, the loving Savior, the One whose Ways are clearly higher and greater than our own, to open your eyes to His many truths and revelations. Ponder the greatness of your Messiah... for mere cliff notes do not do Him justice, nor can they sustain a lasting relationship with the One who demands all our time and energy. So, with all my heart... I encourage you to get to know HIM. Don't just hear... SEE!

Hallelujah to the Lord GOD Almighty! Thank goodness for His love! Thank goodness for His LIFE! Thank goodness for His Word!!! Let us take the time to know Him intimately so that we may trust Him fully... so that we may know His Way!!!

I'm glad my times are in Thy hand. It is so sweet to know,

That everything by Thee is planned for me where'ere I go;
The Hand that holds the ocean's depths can hold my small affairs,
The Hand that guides the universe can carry all my cares.
I'm glad I cannot shape my way, I'd rather trust Thy skill;
I'm glad the ordering is not mine, I'd rather have Thy will.
I do not know the future, and I would not if I might,
For faith to me is better far than faulty human sight.
(Author Unknown)

Blessings!

~Victoria

© The Devoted Woman | Victoria Anderson