Some Thoughts from Job

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

Job 42:2

I just finished reading through the book of Job.  What an amazing book!  So many things stuck out to me, but this testimony Job gives at the end of his trial I find to be particularly encouraging.  Job had good reason to say this.  He had just seen the awesomeness of God displayed in a whirlwind.  He had just heard the voice of God speaking to him personally.  Whew!  Job did not understand his trial, but at the end of it he saw God for Who He really is.  

After witnessing God's great power and might Job goes on to say ...I uttered that I understood not: things to wonderful for me, which I knew not... Wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes.

I thought about this when I read it, because it seemed a bit strange.  Job had just spent a good portion of this book justifying himself to his three friends who seem to think he's committed some grave sin.  In chapter 1 and 2 he's described as a just man, one that feared God and eschewed evil.  Why was he repenting?  What had he done?  We know his trial and sickness wasn't caused by some terrible sin Job had committed, but a trial allowed by God to bring Him glory.  

Here's what I think.  I think Job repented because he was a righteous man, and because he did fear God, and because he did hate evil.  I think Job repented because he had just seen God for Who He really is, and when we see God's righteousness, our own righteousness becomes meaningless.  I think after seeing God, Job realized that his view of God had been small when actually God is BIG!  Job abhorred his flesh, his sinful nature, and his own unworthiness.  Job humbled himself in the presence of God, because what else can one do in the presence of an Almighty, Holy God?!  

Job literally witnessed the fact that God CAN do anything!  He saw the power of God in the whirlwind.  He saw the forgiveness of God when he prayed for his three friends.  He saw the blessing of God when he was restored twice as many possessions and lived to an old age.  I'm so glad Job didn't forsake God in the midst of his trial.  It's an encouragement to me to keep my faith in HIM!  I haven't gone through anything even half as bad as Job, so if he could do it, so can I.