Heartgate International Ministries

Job 23:10 “But he knows the way that I take; when he has tested me, I shall come forth as gold”.

When Job makes this statement, he has lost his 7 sons, 3 daughters, all of his oxen, asses, sheep, camels and servants – in one day – and is covered in boils from the sole of his feet to the crown of his head! Job was in bad shape and this storm had come with deadly fury. But Job understood that serving God is not a guarantee that your life will be easy. There is a cost for any who would follow God.  David understood this process as he declares “I will not offer that which costs me nothing”, 2 Sam. 24:24. But even in this state, Job understands that what we go through is to ultimately make us reflect the glory of His workmanship in us.

Job recognized that God was testing him.  This was something that God had allowed to come upon him to produce his image in him.  The word tested means searched.  What is being searched?  The deepest part of the heart, with every nook and cranny is being examined to see everything that motivates and directs you, and to which you are surrendered – in other words, exposing the “hidden things of the heart” that others cannot see, including you.  God wants us to SHINE. And needs to remove anything that obscures the “shine” of His image in us.  God wants others to see HIM IN US!

In the verse 10, Job references the end goal of the testing he is in the midst of is to come forth as gold. Before gold can be able to reflect the image of the person in whom it is deposited, it must go through the furnace melting down the scrap gold to separate it from any impurities. And the finer the gold, the greater the shine.   

Job is confident of the way that he is taking.  And so confident that he says boldly to his 3 friends who have been trying to convince him that he has done something wrong to bring all of this upon himself, “I will come forth as pure gold”.  In other words, “I will come forth shining” after this testing is over.

We must never forget in the midst of a storm:                      

• God’s intent for us is that we shine so that others will be drawn to Him
  • Shining is always costly
  • Light comes only at the cost of that which produces it:              
    • An unlit candle produces no light = no shine
  • • Burning comes before shining
    • We cannot be of great use to others without a cost to ourselves
• Faith grows in the midst of storms (faith is that God-given faculty which, when exercised, brings the unseen into plain view, and by which impossible things are made possible.)

Job was in the midst of a series of storms that could have led him to quit, curse God and die (as his wife advised him), or lose heart and hope.  But He didn’t. He only grew stronger through the challenges he faced for his trust, hope and help were in God alone.

Remember:  I Jn. 5:4 “and whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that overcomes the world, even our faith”.

WHEN STORMS COME, YIELD TO THE PROCESS. You’ll come out shining!