He sees not only God's greatness, but his own vileness

John Flavel, et al.

(You will find it helpful to LISTEN to the Audio, as you READ the text below.)

Job 42:5-6, "My ears had heard of You, but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."

What a staggering confession Job makes at the end of his long trial. This man, once described by God Himself as blameless and upright, now lies in the dust, broken not merely by suffering--but by a clearer vision of the holy God. He had spoken much about the Almighty before, and he had held fast to his integrity. But now, having encountered the grandeur, power, and sovereignty of the Lord; Job is utterly undone.

"My ears had heard of You." Like many, Job had known about God. He had right theology. He had heard of God's justice and righteousness. He had offered sacrifices and lived in reverent fear of God. But this knowledge, though sincere, was still inadequate. Now, through the furnace of affliction and the Lord's searching questions, Job sees with the eyes of his soul. "Now my eyes have seen You!" Not physically, but spiritually--his understanding has been illuminated. He sees not only God's greatness, but his own vileness. Not only God's glory, but his own guilt.

True sight of God always humbles a man. It silences his arguments, shatters his pride, and brings him to his knees. This is what happened to Isaiah: "Woe to me! I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips!" (Isaiah 6:5). It happened to Peter: "Go away from me Lord; I am a sinful man!" (Luke 5:8). And here it happens to Job: "I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes." Those who truly know God will be humble--and those who know themselves, cannot be proud.

When a soul truly sees God, it sees itself rightly. Self-righteousness dies. Complaints vanish. Boasting is silenced. What remains is worship and repentance--a heart bowed low in the dust, not just because of sorrow, but because it now sees the holiness, wisdom, and majesty of God as never before.

May we too move from hearing to seeing--from a mere notional knowledge of God, to firsthand experience of God's greatness. And may that vision lead us to the same place as Job: humbled, repentant, and silent before the Lord of glory.

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