February 14
Job's Desire
The Christian's Daily Treasury"Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments." — Job 23:3. 4.
THIS is the language of a pious soul, under the hidings of God's countenance. Job had great trials, but exercised great patience under them. Observe here —
HIS DISTRESSING STATE. He mourns an absent God; that is, he had lost for a season the sweet sense of his presence. How often is this the case with us! But whence does it arise? Our iniquities separate between him and our souls, so that he hides his face from us; they are as clouds gathering around us, and obstructing our view of the Sun of righteousness. Our souls cleave unto the dust, instead of soaring to the skies.
HIS ANXIOUS WISH. He desires to find God. This is a good evidence of a renewed heart. How distressing is it, when the believer goes from one ordinance to another, to the Bible, the field of meditation, the throne of grace, the sanctuary, still exclaiming. "O that I knew where I might find him!" Nothing will do as a substitute for God. Without him the world is a blank, life a burden, the Bible a sealed book, and ordinances tasteless and insipid.
HIS FIXED DETERMINATION.
He would draw near. "That I might come even to his seat." He would no longer keep at a distance. Thus the Christian's necessities urge him, the goodness of God emboldens him, and his desires make him eloquent.
He would open his cause. "I would order my cause before him." As if he had said, I would unbosom myself to him, and tell him the inward distress and anguish of my spirit; I would come, not to complain, but to beseech; not to dictate, but to submit; not to charge him with folly, but to take shame to myself.
He would plead. "And fill my mouth with arguments." He would remind him of his great name, his former loving-kindness, his promises, and his power. Let us rejoice that God is to be found of them that seek him.
"O that I knew the secret place, Where I might find my God! I'd spread my wants before his face, And pour my woes abroad."