Today's Fire-starter can be found in Job 23. Today's Fire-starter thought is we may not see God but he sees us!!!

Job, as we know, doesn't completely understand why God has put all this on him. Sometimes we are like Job we do not understand why God allows things in our path but one thing is for sure he knows where we are even if we can't see him. 

I am reminded of a story that Dr. David Gibbs tells of how they were in a plane and the pilot passed out and they had to call for help and the man said, you can't see me but I can see you just listen to my voice. What a reminder it is this morning that even though we can't see God sometimes he always sees us. This is exactly the way Job felt He couldn't see God, if you will, but God could see him 

Why does God put us through things? Simply so we will trust him. He may never show us why we went through something but we must understand he sees what we don't. 

I shall come forth as gold is a great way of putting it. Notice the fourth verse of How firm a foundation.

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,

My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.

The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design

Thy dross to consume, thy dross to consume,

Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.

He puts us through things to make us like gold. To build up our faith, to help encourage us but most importantly we are valuable to him and gold is valuable. God is not going to put us through things for nothing, he has a purpose in it.

May God help us be gold this morning!!! 

Remember he sees you when you can't see him. 

Job 23:1-17 KJV

Then Job answered and said, [2] Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning. [3] Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat! [4] I would order my cause before him, and fill my mouth with arguments. [5] I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me. [6] Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me. [7] There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge. [8] Behold, I go forward, but he is not there ; and backward, but I cannot perceive him: [9] 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 : [10] But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold. [11] My foot hath held his steps, his way have I kept, and not declined. [12] Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. [13] But he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. [14] For he performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him. [15] Therefore am I troubled at his presence: when I consider, I am afraid of him. [16] For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me: [17] Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.