In this chapter Job laments on a few themes – the loss of his position and respect among his peers, the persecution and mocking he must now endure, his present suffering and misery, and the injustice against him.
“God has cast me into the mire, and I have become like dust and ashes. I cry to you for help and you do not answer me; I stand, and you only look at me. Yet does not one in a heap of ruins stretch out his hand, and in his disaster cry for help? Did not I weep for him whose day was hard? Was not my soul grieved for the needy? But when I hoped for good, evil came, and when I waited for light, darkness came. My inward parts are in turmoil and never still; days of affliction come to meet me.” (v19-20,24-27)
Job seems to indicate that “life is not fair.” He talks about how he diligently served the people around him, yet received pain and persecution for his reward. I think part of the turmoil Job is experiencing, is the feeling that God has turned His back on Job, or cursed him, despite Job’s obedience to God’s commands.
It doesn’t take much imagination to understand Job’s frustration – “I did what you asked, so why are you punishing me?” A just, merciful, and loving God would not punish someone for their obedience, right?
Correct, God does not punish obedience. What He does, is allow suffering (for a time) to open our eyes to Him, strengthen us, and draw us (and often others) closer to Him. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Rm 5:3-5)
God promises to alleviate our suffering, that it is only temporary: “And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Pt 5:10) Unfortunately, this reprieve may only happen when we join Him in eternity, because He promises this world/life will be full of trouble, but relief will eventually come for He has broken the power of sin and death (which causes suffering) (see Jn 16:33, 2 Tim 1:10).
I think Paul said it best: “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rm 8:18). Even though Job’s suffering was beyond our imagination, his suffering was temporary, and ultimately God gave Job rewards that made the suffering seem insignificant. The only catch was Job had to remain faithful to God throughout.
My encouragement for us today is no matter how bad things get, no matter how many viruses, or protests, or how great the physical distance, no matter how our job is affected or our heath may degrade, we have the promises of God. Promises that say this suffering is temporary, sin and death are defeated, and we will one day join Jesus at God’s side in eternity. Praise God, for this storm shall pass and it cannot compare to the eternal treasures which He has promised to those who remain faithful (see Jas 1:2-12).
Father God, our Great, Mighty and Sovereign King, all praise, glory and honor be unto You. We humbly come before You today, a suffering and broken people. Our sin has brought us low, and we cannot bear these consequences. Father God please have mercy on we who have sinned, and please relive this temporal suffering. We celebrate the promise of eternal relief from this suffering, and praise our Merciful and Gracious Savior who made this possible. Spirit please grant us the endurance we need, and please ease our suffering so we may bear it. Jesus thank you for breaking the power of sin and death, making it possible for us to one day be free from this pain and sadness. Father we praise and worship You, for You alone are worth of our praise, for Your steadfast love endures forever and ever, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training