061. Prayer Of Job That He Might Feel God’s Presence.

Prayer Of Job That He Might Feel God’s Presence. The Prayer as recorded.—Job 23:3-17. In perusing the history of Job no doubt many have felt that his sorrows were greater than he could possibly have deserved, and with Job himself they have inquired, “How many were his iniquities and sins that it was necessary for him to endure such a ‘burden of trial?’ We must not lose sight of the fact that Job was a righteous man; he knew and felt that his afflictions were from the hand of God. How differently they were received from their Author by Job, than they are by men who have no love for that great Being in their hearts! All over the world we see the mourning of unbelievers unattended by religious benefit. God oftener tries and purifies the heart of the good man, by affliction, than he does that of the unbeliever. The good and the bad both mourn in tears, yet there is a sorrow that worketh repentance, and leads to prayer; and there is a sorrow of the world that worketh death. Overcome, but not cast down utterly, Job is willing to leave himself in the hands of God. He feels that his faith is being tried, and in his prayer seems to look forward to that glorious time when he shall come forth from all his trials purified and refined.

Those of our friends who have felt what it is to have a conflict between faith and unbelief, hope and despondency, a desire to be submissive, and the self-will opposing, enduring heavy trial and heavier temptations to sin, may easily account for the apparent changes in the character of Job; but his vehement desires and passionate protestations were quieted when he reflected that it was God’s will he should be afflicted so bitterly, that it was the way appointed for him; and with these convictions he prays, assured that the judgment of God will be according to truth. It is thought, by the “judge” in this prayer, Eliphaz the Temanite is meant, for he had fearfully misjudged Job and brought in many accusations against him. In an hour of gloom, when he could get no fixed views of God’s presence as his deliverer, Job prays.