“Oh that I were as [in] months past, as [in] the days [when] God preserved me; When his candle shined upon my head, [and when] by his light I walked [through] darkness;” (Job 29:2-3 AV)
Job wishes for the day when life was good. He wishes for the past when he did not suffer as he is in the present. Yet, he utters a profound truth that misses his own mark. Upon wishing for the better days of the past, the last phrase is exactly what he needs to remember in the present. The light of God led in times of darkness. Now that he is in a time of darkness, he assumes the light of God is not present. Perhaps by the light he means immediate understanding that enabled him to navigate past tragedies. That might certainly be the case. But immediacy of perspective is relative. If he had to put down a favorite animal, he would immediately know what that had to be done. He could rationalize it and do that which was necessary out of respect for the animal. However brief, there was a time of darkness that needed understanding. It was there. In the depth of his loss, the time of understanding and God’s divine plan was lengthened. What Job uttered and should have remembered was as the LORD had previously sent light in times of darkness, He will do so in the present. It will simply take a bit longer.
There is something about light amid a darkness that changes a person’s disposition. The older I get, the more of a struggle it is to drive at night. As long as I am in the city with street lights and lights from buildings, I am fine. But put me on a country road in the middle of a rainstorm with dim headlights, and it is not pleasant. Especially if I am driving in an area where the stripping has not been well maintained. It almost becomes frightening. If I am on a major highway and all I have to go on is the line on the shoulder and those little green mile markers, it can be a bit dicey. There is a stretch on the Pennsylvania Turnpike that comes to mind. Having to travel that stretch during snowstorms, it will get one’s adrenaline going. When the snow limits visibility from your own headlights, the snow is just deep enough to cover the lines, and there are no tracks to follow, it can get to be quiet and adventure. Been there, done that. Along the way, there are markers that indicate you will be fine. There are exit signs and way mark signs. Every ten miles or so, there would be a position sign announcing where you were and how far the next exit or rest stop might be. As the lights above the sign come into view, we have a sense of safety and progress. Lights mean all the world in times of deep darkness.
The thing with Job was that he had light. He just didn’t know it. Job was looking for more light that he had at the moment. He knew that God rewards His saints. He knew God took care of His saints. He knew tragedy was part of life. He knew there was a devil. He knew all that God gives is by grace. Job knew a lot. That is why he refused to curse God and die. He knew enough to navigate through his present situation while waiting for more light to come out. Experience taught him that God sends light in times of darkness. Why would this be any different? If God gave Job light as he started his family, built a business, and became a notable citizen of his country, why wouldn’t God continue to give light as He determined? In his despondence, Job forgot this truth. He wished for something he already had. He had light. He didn’t have as much light as he wanted. He had all the light he needed. How do we know? Because when God spoke to him, He told him so. We should be thankful for the light that guides us in darkness rather than rue the light we don’t have. Like traveling the Pennsylvania Turnpike in the middle of a lake effect snow storm, I may not appreciate the lack of light that I could use, but at least I have working headlights and large trucks that are leading the way. The light He has given can become darkness if we don’t acknowledge it and use it. Welcome what light He gives and wait for more.
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