I Will See God

Job 18-20

Job says: “…know that God has wronged me” —Job 19:6

Because he doesn’t answer me.

Because he doesn’t help me.

Because my way is blocked.

Because I can’t see ahead.

Because I have nothing.

Because I have no hope.

Because he is angry with me.

Because I am his enemy.

Because my friends have turned against me.

Because my employees don’t obey me.

Because my wife doesn’t like me.

Because I’m wasting away.

And in spite of this list of wrongs, Job still maintains some faith in the ultimate end of his story:

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and that in the end he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see him with my own eyes—I, and not another. How my heart yearns within me!” —Job 19:25-27

How human—such lack of faith on one side and such great faith on the other.

If I look at my life I can see the same pattern—moments of doubt and faithlessness and moments of great faith shaken together like oil and water. It is often only after the turbulent times have passed that I are able to distinguish one from the other and recognize my doubts for what they are.

I think Job points out something very important here. Our troubles, whatever the divine reason for them is, are ultimately meant to remind us that our focus needs to be on what awaits us when real life begins.

“I will see God.” Compared to that, the rest sinks into insignificance.