Seeing God
‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.
Job 42:4–6
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Seeing God
Throughout his life Job had been a devout and faithful man. He worshiped God and sang His praises, he lived a life as best he could under God’s Law, always acting in an honorable and just manner. But now Job was brought face to face with God, and in doing so came face to face with the reality that he was a sinner and was at the mercy of our heavenly Father. And God showed Job He could be all-loving and all-powerful and permit suffering at the same time in a way that goes beyond human understanding. And in doing so Job, along with us, come to understand the purpose of God allowing suffering will ultimately result in our benefit, even if it is beyond our understanding. And in this knowledge Job repents. He trusts in the mercy of God and no longer attempts to justify himself. In the same way, we are confronted by God’s truth and who we are (Romans 3:23) when through the Word and Sacraments the Holy Spirit brings us to faith. We know we need a Redeemer and we know He is Jesus. We see God and His mercy on the cross, at the altar and font, and in His Word. And with Job we can proclaim, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (19:25).
Job 42:4–6
+
Seeing God
Throughout his life Job had been a devout and faithful man. He worshiped God and sang His praises, he lived a life as best he could under God’s Law, always acting in an honorable and just manner. But now Job was brought face to face with God, and in doing so came face to face with the reality that he was a sinner and was at the mercy of our heavenly Father. And God showed Job He could be all-loving and all-powerful and permit suffering at the same time in a way that goes beyond human understanding. And in doing so Job, along with us, come to understand the purpose of God allowing suffering will ultimately result in our benefit, even if it is beyond our understanding. And in this knowledge Job repents. He trusts in the mercy of God and no longer attempts to justify himself. In the same way, we are confronted by God’s truth and who we are (Romans 3:23) when through the Word and Sacraments the Holy Spirit brings us to faith. We know we need a Redeemer and we know He is Jesus. We see God and His mercy on the cross, at the altar and font, and in His Word. And with Job we can proclaim, “For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth” (19:25).
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