In Job chapter forty, verse four, Job was overwhelmed by this new revelation of God. He understood how significant humans are before the hidden wisdom of God, as in First Corinthians four, verse seven, and he felt he could speak no more. Still, Job was not quite ready to give up his claim that something had been wrong in God’s treatment of him, as Job’s final response comes in Chapter forty-two, verses two through six. Yet Job realized that his mysterious and perplexing suffering had not been a mystery to God and that he could trust Him.
Communion with the Lord effectually convinces and humbles a saint. There is a need to be thoroughly convinced and humbled to prepare for remarkable deliverances. After God had shown Job his manifest ignorance of the works of nature and how unable he was to judge the methods and designs of Providence, he put the convincing question to him. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? Job began to melt into godly sorrow when his friends reasoned and did not yield. But the voice of the Lord is powerful. When the Spirit of truth is come, he shall convince. Job yields himself to the grace of God. He owns himself an offender and has nothing to say to justify himself. He is now sensible that he has sinned and calls himself vile.
Repentance changes a person’s opinion of themselves. Job convincingly is aware of his error. Those who are truly sensible of their sinfulness and vileness dare not justify themselves before God. He perceived that he was a poor, mean, foolish, and sinful creature who had uttered one word against the Divine conduct. One glimpse of God’s holy nature would appall the stoutest rebel. How will the wicked handle the sight of his glory on the day of judgment?