The Almighty Troubleth Me

Job 23:1-17

INTRODUCTION: Surely we could all agree that we have not had to endure the difficulties endured by Job. If the overwhelming nature of the burdens were not enough, it would seem as though there was little time between incidents offering very little time to heal mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. In the midst of his hurting, Job wondered where God was and looked for an opportunity to present his case before the Lord. There must have been many days where Job was on the verge of spiritual breakthroughs or spiritual catastrophe. The only thing that likely helped him to persevere was that even though he could not see God, he knew in the depths of his heart that God was there.

I. AN ANTICIPATED ARGUMENT (Job 23:1-7)

A. The Events Leading Up (Job 23:1)

1. The loss suffered (Job 1:6-22; Job 2:1-10)
2. The arrival of Job’s friends (Job 2:11-13)
3. The conversation (Job 3:1-Job 22:30; continuing through Job 31:40)

B. The Present Condition (Job 23:2)

1. A bitter complaint
2. A stroke heavier than his groaning

C. The Anticipation of Meeting (Job 23:3-7)

1. The desire to find the Lord (Job 23:3)
2. The desire to argue his case before the Lord (Job 23:4)
3. The desire to hear God’s response (Job 23:5-6)
4. The desire to be delivered (Job 23:7)

II. A CONFIDENT CHAOS (Job 23:8-12)

A. The Chaos in the Way (Job 23:8-9)

1. Forward (Job 23:8)
a. I go forward.
b. He is not there.
2. Backward (Job 23:8)
a. I go backward.
b. I cannot perceive Him.
3. Left (Job 23:9)
a. I go on the left hand, where He doth work.
b. I cannot behold Him.
4. Right (Job 23:9)
a. I go on the right hand, where He hideth Himself.
b. I cannot see Him.

B. The Purpose of the Way (Job 23:10)

1. He KNOWETH the way that I take.
2. When He HATH TRIED ME, I shall come forth as gold.

C. The Confidence Along the Way (Job 23:11-12)

1. My foot hath held His steps (Job 23:11).
2. His way have I kept, and not declined (Job 23:11).
3. Neither have I gone back from the commandment of His lips (Job 23:12).
4. I have esteemed His words more than my necessary food (Job 23:12).

III. A TROUBLED TRUST (Job 23:13-17)

A. The Omnipotent Providence (Job 23:13-14)

1. He doeth that which His soul desireth (Job 23:13).
2. He performeth the thing that is APPOINTED FOR ME (Job 23:14).

B. The Ensuing Reverence (Job 23:15)

1. Therefore, am I troubled at His presence.
2. When I consider, I am afraid of Him.

C. The Troubling of the Lord (Job 23:16-17)

1. God maketh my heart soft (Job 23:16).
2. The Almighty troubleth me (Job 23:16-17).
a. I was not cut off BEFORE the darkness (Job 23:17).
b. Neither hath He covered the darkness from my face (Job 23:17).

CONCLUSION: God could have cut off Job before the dark days came. He could have hidden the darkness from Job’s face. God chose to do neither. Instead, He chose to trouble Job and make Job’s heart soft through the fiery trials. In the end, Job would come forth purified because of the trials. How will you use God’s troubling in your life and soul?