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Through The TrialsJob 23:8-10 - “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: On the left hand, where he doth work, but I cannot behold him: he hideth himself on the right hand, that I cannot see him: But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.” These are the words of Job. He is in the middle of a trial of all trials. His trial was set to test, examine, purify and prove his faith in God. We might emphasize that Job lost a lot, but have we ever considered how much he gained? God’s trials are not that we might loose faith and hope, but that our faith be purified and our hope in Christ grow the stronger. In our text Job realizes that he cannot figure out where God is in relation to where he is and what is going on in his life. This he did know, Job knew that God knew where he was, and he knew in time his faith in God would be purer, as pure gold. One of my favorite hymns “How Firm A Foundation” has a verse that captures the truth of why trials come our way. Its author is unknown, but its truths apply to all Christians.“When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all-sufficient, shall be thy supply; The flame shall not harm thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.”