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JOB 42:1-6

"THE DISCOVERY OF GOD"

Intro: In our discourse last week we saw Job seeking God. Eliphaz had
       advised,  "Acquaint thyself with Him and be at peace". Job
       responded "Oh that I knew  where I might find Him" & told of his
       vain search. Now God has revealed Himself  to Job.

I. "I HAVE HEARD OF THEE BY THE HEARING OF THE EAR."
        A. Job was aware and convinced of God's existence.
                1. He had heard of God's power (flood..
                2. He was convinced of God's sovereignty.
        B. Yet it is possible to know OF God and still not know Him.
                1. You can know a lot about Pat Boone.
                        a. Much has been written.
                        b. You may know:
                                1. His favorite breakfast.
                                2. What time he gets up in the morning.
                                3. What beverage his family likes most.
                2. Yet you may not really know him.
                        a. At one time he might have been your so you read
                           as much as you could about him; saw all of his
                           pictures twice, and you may be able to rattle
                           off so many facts about him that someone may
                           ask you, "Oh do you know."
                        b. You really know him through someone else's
                           eyes.
                                1. They may have misinterpreted or
                                   misquoted him.
                                2. You have never really seen him or met
                                   him.
                                3. So you may know a lot about God, you
                                   may rattle off scriptures, and yet not
                                   really know Him.

II. "BUT NOW MY EYES SEE YOU."
        A. Had he not been searching he would not have found.
                1. God revealed Himself to Job because Job was looking.
                2. Some people take a very-passive attitude:
                        a. "In the day that ye seek Me."
        B. "But now I see you." There is no substitute for a personal
           encounter.
                1. You might be saying "I don't believe it is possible to
                   have a personal encounter with God."
                        a. Then we should get rid of our whole system of
                           Juris prudence.
                                1. The evidence is based on the testimony
                                   of the witnesses.
                                2. When you seek to repudiate the
                                   testimony of several million witnesses
                                   you have destroyed the system.
                2. You may have a personal' encounter with God today.
                        a. Jesus said, "whoever comes to me, I will in no
                           wise cast out." 
                3. What does it feel like?
                        a. No set feeling.
                                1. Some say 10 million volts.
                                2. others say overwhelming love.
                                3. Some at the moment feel nothing.

Ill. THE EFFECT OF JOB'S ENCOUNTER.
        A. He saw himself in the true light.
                1. I abhor myself. "Disappear" "Repudiate."
                2. I repent in dust & ashes.
                3. The man who is proud has not yet had a full encounter
                   with God.
        B. He was blessed vs. 12.
                1. The blessing of peace, joy, love.