He Knows

I sat out on our side porch a few weeks ago, looking at the stars. And I couldn’t help but think of the one who made them. Totally cleche, I know. But seriously. How can we look up at a star filled sky and not think of God? I remember looking up at the crescent moon and realizing that the dark section was our shadow, and at that very moment 93 million miles in the opposite direction the sun was still shining just like normal. And I was stuck in the middle. It made me feel pretty small. And it helped me remember that God is really big. 

At that moment a verse came to mind “He knoweth the way that I take, and when He has tried me I will come forth as gold. 

It might seem unrelated, but at a time when the world was beginning to realize what an upset the Coronavirus would be, and as I prayed about various needs in my own life; it was a welcome reminder. 

Sometimes feeling small is a good thing. It helps put our problems in perspective.

Lets disect this verse and study it one bit at a time. 

He knows the way that I take. 

God knows the way that you take. He knows every doubt, every fear. He knows what the economy is doing, and where the virus is spreading. He knows what your bank account looks like, and how frustrating it was to go grocery shopping the other week. He knows your face mask itches and that you are worried about your job. And the future. He knows. 

He wasnt surprised or worried by the developements in our world. But he was aware of it; long before we were even born. Thats how unsurprised God was at the turn of events this year. Thats how big He is. 

Who knows? God knows.

He. Knows. Where. You. Are. 

Exactly where you are. On the map, in your mind, on the “corona curve”. God knows where you are. 

It isnt just the fact that He knows where you are, its the fact that He knows where you are. He does. The God of the universe. The one who put the world in motion and set the stars in the sky. He who healed the sick and raised the dead. He who clothes the flowers, and see’s when every sparrow falls. He knows. Jesus knows. Jesus knows where you are. 

He knows where you are, and He loves you. 

He knows where you are and He is doing something. 

He is doing something about it, and He is doing something with it. 

In this verse Job says “when I am tried”.  this phrase indicates that there is an ending in mind. His trial isnt the end for him. But the trial has an end. The trouble that Job is currently facing wont go on forever, it is temporary. God is in the process of doing something about his situation. Just like he is in the process of doing something about yours. In the middle of his trial Job had trouble seeing what God was up to. But even though he couldnt see what was happening, he had faith that God was doing something. 

Job was convinced that though he could not see God at that time he would see God at some point in the future. 

He says in Job 19:23-27

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth: And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for myself, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another; though my reins be consumed within me.

I love the fact that job actually says “oh that my words were written in a book”. God was listening and granted his request. 

But he also had confidence that the process he was in would come to an end, and that in the end he would see God. 

Just like our process will come to an end, and when we get to the end we will look back and we will see God. 

Lastly we see that God was doing something with jobs situation. God will not just bring Jobs situation to an end, but when he does Job will come out of it like Gold! 

In ancient days the method used purify gold was pretty dangerous. The goldsmith had to melt the gold, and skim off the impurities that risen to the top. Gold melts a 1948 degrees, and boils at about 5000 degrees! You had to build one big fire if you wanted to purify any Gold. But eventually, after time after time of heating and skimming, the gold would be pure, and clean of anything polluting it from the inside. The goldsmith knew that the gold was pure when he could see his reflection in the metal. That is exactly what God is doing in us- if we let Him- in times of difficulty. 

Sometimes we go through difficult times when we are being purified. It is the grace of God that He is willing to work with us and continue making us into what we need to be.

There are two major keys for following God in difficult times. 

Trust. Trust that God is in control. Trust that His will and His way is best. Trust that He will bring you out, and trust that He is doing something in you. 

Surrender. Surrender to whatever that something is. Surrender to His plans and His way. When He says which way to go say “yes Lord”. When He shows you your lack of faith, choose to beleive. 

He knows the way that you take. And when you are tried- when all this is over- you will come forth as GOLD!