In Dust And Ashes

I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees You. Therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. 

Job 42:5-6 

A clear sight of Christ will give us a better understanding of ourselves. From the 38^th chapter of Job through the end of Chapter 41, God speaks to Job directly, ‘out of the whirlwind.’ This is, in many respects analogous to Moses’ encounter of Christ at the burning bush. There Christ spoke from the bush. Here He speaks from the whirlwind. It is as much a Christophany as Moses, Joshua, and Isaiah experienced. Isaiah’s response to his sight of Christ is much to the same as Job’s. He says, ‘Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.’ When we have received a clear sight of Christ, we come to a much better understanding of ourselves. This is an intensely humbling experience. Seeing Christ leads us to abandon our self-righteousness. It brings us to abase ourselves and to magnify Christ. This has been the experience of everyone who has come face to face with Christ in whatever form He has chosen to reveal Himself. As we gain a clear sight of Christ it will have such an effect upon us as well. More of Christ makes for less of us. There is value in our afflictions as Christ uses them to show us more of God.  

Great God of Wonders, 
we rejoice that You reveal Yourself to us. 
We praise You that as You do, 
we see ourselves, and more importantly, we see Christ. 

Tomm Tice
Where the Bush is Burning