When God appeared to Job and began to ask him questions, Job had an eye opening experience! He explains in 42:5-6: “I had heard about you before, but now I have seen you with my own eyes. I take back everything I said, and I sit in dust and ashes to show my repentance.”
Although Job rightly maintained his innocence through the testing that God allowed Satan to bring into his life, God used these trials to bring Job to a deeper appreciation of Himself. He drew Job close and revealed a bit of Himself to Job. The result was repentance. It always is. One of my teachers at Denver Seminary said it well.
Rod Cooper said: What’s the natural response when you’ve seen God? You’re convicted of sin. “Woe is me, for I am undone.” The closer I walk with God, the more quickly I feel my sin and realize how much I need God. It’s like a huge mirror with a great big light over it. When we stand away from the mirror, things look pretty good: suit looks in order; tie looks straight; the hair, what’s left of it, is combed. But as you begin to move towards the mirror, things begin to show up. The suit has a spot on it. The tie is a little bit wrinkled. The hair is out of place. The closer we get to the bright light, the more we realize our defects. It’s the same way when we get close to God. When we get close to him, we realize how much we need him and how far we are from him. We’re convicted of our sin.
The apprehension of the remarkable contrast between God’s perfection and man’s sinfulness leads us to our deepest need. We need a Savior! Thankfully, God sent us one! He’s the one who rose from the dead!
Chuck
“Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead!” (Luke 24:5-6)