Job 42:1-5 NLT
“I know that you can do anything, and no one can stop you. You asked, ‘Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorance?’ It is I—and I was talking about things I knew nothing about, things far too wonderful for me. You said, ‘Listen and I will speak! I have some questions for you, and you must answer them.’ I had only heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes.”
The story of Job begins with him being the most blessed man on the planet and then within a short time, he is completely wiped out through the death of his children and the loss of his wealth. Then a horrible illness set in with great pain and embarrassment. By the end of his encounter with some religious friends and a face-to-face stand-off with God Himself, the man is vindicated and blessed far beyond his original state.
Probably the greatest confrontation in this story, however, is when he displayed the deepest level of courage a human can exhibit—facing yourself. Job had to search his heart, humble himself, and come to some tough conclusions that brought him into a relationship with God like few have ever experienced.
Think about your worst moment, your lowest time in life thus far.
Listen again to Job’s culminating confession to God, this time from the Message Bible:
“I’m convinced: You can do anything and everything.
Nothing and no one can upset your plans.
You asked, ‘Who is this muddying the water, ignorantly confusing the issue, second-guessing my purposes?’
I admit it. I was the one. I babbled on about things far beyond me, made small talk about wonders way over my head.
You told me, ‘Listen, and let me do the talking.
Let me ask the questions. You give the answers.’
I admit I once lived by rumors of you;
now I have it all firsthand—from my own eyes and ears!
Facing humiliation, shame, guilt, and pain in front of others is humbling and hard. But facing the person in the mirror and admitting truth is the hardest, yet most courageous thing we will ever do.
Let’s pray: “Father, please take my Job moments and help me to process and apply those to realize they have been an opportunity to see You with my own eyes and experience You in a way I may never have otherwise. As above, so below. Amen.”