Reverence Beyond Understanding

Job 29:2-4, 28:28

There are times in our lives when unexplainable suffering comes upon us. Job is going through exactly such a time.

In chapter 29, verse 2, he confesses: "Oh, that I were as in months past, as in the days when God watched over me" (Job 29:2).

When we look at the Hebrew original text to understand what Job longed for, it wasn't simply wealth and glory. It was the time when 'God's friendship (Sod Eloah)'—that is, God's intimate fellowship—dwelt in his tent, as mentioned in verse 4.

Job is not crying because of the 'blessings' he lost, but because of the 'face of God' he has lost.

Some of you may have similar feelings or thoughts. For those who feel that God is silent, that your prayers don't seem to reach Him, Job's confession may be exactly your own.

1. Holy Stubbornness That Won't Sell Conscience in Suffering (Integrity)

In chapter 27, Job shows a level of determination that gives us chills. "As long as I have life within me, I will never abandon my integrity." The world, and Job's friends, say: "Just compromise a little. If you admit you were wrong, things will get easier." This could be seen as a false confession made to solve my own problem. So Job persists, saying that even if God kills him, he will not manipulate God with false repentance.

There's a story of a deacon. His business went bankrupt and he was diagnosed with cancer. People around him whispered, "It must be because of some hidden sin." But from his hospital bed receiving chemotherapy, he confessed: "God, I cannot understand this, but You are good. I will not lie to escape this pain. I still trust You." This is 'faith that treats God as the end, not the means.' Job valued truthfulness before God more than removing his suffering.

2. True Wisdom Mined from Deep Darkness (Wisdom)

But beloved, Job chapter 28 suddenly changes atmosphere. It describes miners digging deep into the earth to extract gold and silver. Human intellect and civilization are remarkable. But Scripture asks: "But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?" (Job 28:12).

With our intellect, with worldly philosophy, even with religious zeal, we cannot mine the 'wisdom' to interpret the suffering in our lives. Job reaches a conclusion: "The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom" (28:28).

Here, 'fear' is not terror that makes us flee. As C.S. Lewis said, it is the trembling felt before overwhelming holiness, and absolute dependence on Him. Job, in the ruins where everything has collapsed, is grasping 'God Himself,' who is more precious than gold.

3. Jesus Christ, Our True Job

Beloved, in Job chapter 29, Job recalls how he was 'eyes to the blind' and 'a father to the needy' in the past. He suffered as a righteous man. But here we must see One greater than Job.

There is One who willingly abandoned the glory of the heavenly throne, that 'glory of months past,' and came to this earth. Job lamented that God had turned away from him, but Jesus Christ on the cross—as Jesus cried out on the cross, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"—was actually and thoroughly forsaken by God.

Because Jesus entered into that complete darkness and silence, God is never absent in our darkness today. Because the Lord bore our despair on the cross, our suffering is not a meaningless pit but a refinery where we come forth as pure gold.

Let me conclude. If your life is now in pitch-black darkness, and God doesn't feel the same as before, mine for God's promises, not your feelings.

Someone once said: "God sometimes places us in darkness not because He wants us to 'see' Him, but because He wants us to 'believe' Him."

Even in this darkness now, trust the Lord who still upholds the entire universe (chapter 26). Fearing the Lord, not letting go of His garment even when circumstances don't make sense—that is the highest worship we can offer.

I bless you in the name of the Lord that you and I will be victorious through this faith.