“I Have Heard of Thee”...the Wayfarer...4/22/14

“I Have Heard of Thee”
4/22/14

“I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

(Job 42: 5 &6)

This statement was made by Job, after having undergone the most extreme trial of faith recorded in the Old Testament.

Test after test was hurled at him by Satan, having been allowed to do so by a God who knew Job’s depth of fidelity and faith long before allowing those tests.

Still. And yet this faithful man, pillar of his society, epitome of faith, struggled, and eventually questioned that very faith, and its purpose.

Here, at the final chapter of this book, we find Job not only accepting of the answers given his questions, but no longer finding any need to question God’s purpose or plan, willing simply to follow that given him to follow, and do that given him to do.

The words he used to admit his own frailty, own lack of power, own temporary state in the face of a perfect and eternal God  restore him go God’s protective blessing, and restore all he had lost through the trials faced.

“Then Job answered the Lord, and said,

I know that thou canst do everything, and that no thought can be withholden from thee.

Who is he that hideth counsel without knowledge? Therefore have I uttered that I understood not; things too wonderful for me, which I knew not.

Hear I beseech thee, and I will speak: I will demand of thee, and declare thou unto me.

I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

(Job 42:1-6)

Job was a faithful servant, loyal and constant in his worship even before his trials. Faith existed, and strongly for him, even before those trials, that faith becoming the very reason for those trials.

Satan’s attempted point was to prove that Job was only faithful because he had no troubles to try him, no reasons to turn from God.

Satan knew mankind’s nature to enjoy all blessings, and to complain if those blessings were withdrawn and to turn from God at the first stumbling block in their way that would inconvenience them in what they think to be the things they want more than anything else.

Job was loyal, and exhibited the faith he had throughout the trials, but eventually questioned His own faith and purpose, which led to the words spoken in that sixth verse used in the opening.

Paul’s definition of faith was apparent in Job’s actions and reactions throughout his trials.

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.

For by it the elders obtained a good report.

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.”

(Hebrews 11:1-3)

Job’s belief and faith came initially from hearing of God. The ability to actually feel and see the hand of God at work  in his life came only though the exercise of that faith spoken of by Paul I chose to reference.

As Christ chose his disciples, each exhibited that same faith in him in different ways, maintaining that faith throughout his ministry, and continuing in that faith after the crucifixion, having been witnesses to a resurrected Christ, having not only heard, but having seen.

As Nathaniel spoke to Jesus at their meeting, it was done with awe, established by faith in what he heard from Christ note Christ’s answer to him:

“Jesus saw Nathaniel coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

Nathaniel saith unto him, Whence knowest thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, when thou was under the fig tree, I saw thee.

Nathaniel answered and saith unto him, Rabbi, thou art the Son of God; thou art the king of Israel.

Jesus answered and said unto him, Because I said unto thee, I saw thee under the fig tree, believest thou? Thou shalt see greater things than these.

And he saith unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of man.”

(John 1:47-51)

Faith begins with having heard the word of God. The blessings that follow come only through the continuance and exercise of that faith.

For some it is enough to see the miracles that take place on the small scale in our daily lives. That small scale is far grander than admitted to without the capability of those who refuse to acknowledge those miracles of life itself so easily and readily seen by those who simply look.

Others are like Nathaniel, and will readily acknowledge those miracles if and when they are made known to them as they actually affect them and a portion of their life.

Others choose to look for rationale and objective means to believe only the lies perpetrated on them by Satan instead.

Just as Job first heard and believed, so too must that hearing happen today as well. To hear requires more than merely tolerating sound, but requires a mind receptive to it and willing to understand what is heard.

Once having heard, the requirement also extends to doing if faith is to be functional and true. (James 1:25).

Endurance has been required of us by Christ, that endurance must include faith!

“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.”

(James 1:12)

In order to endure, faith must be strengthened, that strengthening comes only through prayer and devoted study of the scriptures given us, not merely reading the verses set out for the day, but comprehensive cogitation given to the meaning and depth of those scriptures.

Just as lip service is no service at all, mere skimming is no true means of seeking the strength needed to endure as we are asked, as Job was asked.

Just as Job received his answers through prayer and communion with God, so to may we receive those answers.

Answers found in the scriptures must be diligently sought out, in the full context and content of what is given. Anything less is unacceptable, and results only in attempts to justify opinions of mankind instead of God.

"Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding."

(Proverbs 3:5)

Just as Job trusted God, and was rewarded for it, not only hearing, but seeing the power of God, so too must we return to that trust, and that required endurance.

I close in prayer that all find that ability to finally first hear, by taking the time to actually listen past the things and teachings that attempt to drown out all faith, and that they see with eyes that have been cleared the mans to attain the blessings intended for them, as did Job, by accepting the same terms Job accepted…Redemption through repentance!

“Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!”

I remain that same simple sinner, loyal servant, soldier chosen by my Lord, made a simple sinner saved by that same faith required of Job in the same God, and in the same mercy and grace offered by that God.

2 Timothy 1:12 King James Version (KJV)

¹² For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Amen and Amen
the Wayfarer