“But He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10).

While Job, the speaker in our text verse, was an Old Testament “saint,” his experiences under trial are applicable to modern-day “saints.” The word “saint” appears some fifty times in the New Testament. However, our privileges as New Testament “saints” far exceed those of the Old Testament “saints.”

But how precious to apply Job’s words to our lives today. Job was going through severe trials, with the loss of his wealth, his children, and his health: “My complaint is bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. Oh, that I knew where I might find Him!” (Job 23:2,3). Job had a deep desire to find God as judge and confront Him, for “He knoweth the way that I take: when He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” Job 23:10). Job had some understanding of his trials as the refiner’s fire, which produces pure gold, but he had to become tender hearted and responsive to the process.

What a lesson for the New Testament saints! Do we not complain because of God’s dealings with us, which seem so mysterious at times? Job’s refiner’s fire is pictured in the New Testament also: “Now for a season . . . ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations (trials): That the trial of your faith . . . though it be tried by fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” at the second coming (I Peter 1:6,7). Trials are a part of our Christian experience to refine our faith, “being much more precious than of gold that perisheth” (I Peter 1:7).

Trust Him. Our Lord is quite “able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy” (Jude 24). JLG