May 20–Job 16-20

“I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last He will take His stand on the earth. . .whom I myself shall behold, and whom my eyes will see”(19:25,27).

Suffering, for the believer, can be corrective surgery. For all the discomfort, suffering is used by the Father as a healing process. “For those who are trained by it (God’s discipline), it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness”(Hebrews 12:11). “Momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory”(2 Corinthians 4:17, italics mine).

As Job struggled under the weight of his trial (and God’s silence regarding it), something beautiful happened in his heart! Something new. He began to look forward. Like a bright star in a dark-night sky, a future day glimmered into focus.

“I know that my Redeemer lives,” said Job. “At the last (on the last day) He will stand on the earth and I will see Him with my eyes.” Amazing revelation! As he peered into the future, Job saw the Living Redeemer, and a solid assurance rose in his heart that, at some point, he (Job) would see Him (Jesus) with his own eyes. From this hope, Job drew great strength.

Too often, too easily, material life becomes all-consuming. Gradually, even though we assent to the idea of a future day, “right now” becomes the full focus of our thoughts/decisions/affections. The present moment is all we can see, all that matters.

Before the cross, Jesus reminded the Sanhedrin of a coming day. “You will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds.” See Mark 14:62. At other moments, and with similar purpose, He encouraged His disciples to think about an owner who goes away for a while, but will come back!

When suffering causes me to look forward, when it shatters the hold this present world has on me, it proves itself part of God’s healing in my life. Friend, in your present pain are you learning hope? Like Job, do you have a certainty that you will see Him?

“People need three things in this world to be truly happy; someone to love, something to do, and something to hope for”(Tom Bodett).

“Face to face! O blissful moment! Face to face–to see and know; face to face with my Redeemer, Jesus Christ who loved me so”(Carrie Ellis Breck).

“For the joy set before Him, He endured the cross”(Hebrews 12:2).

May 19–Job 12-15

“Though He slay me, I will hope in Him. Nevertheless I will argue my ways before Him. This also will be my salvation, for a godless man may not come before His presence.”–13:15-16

Disagreement is not disloyalty. It took me a long time to learn this truth. For years I wrongly believed that we were not to question those in authority above us. Especially not God.

Job knew better. Sometimes arguing with God isn’t unbelief. Actually the opposite. Saying what you honestly feel isn’t disrespect, rather it is part of a genuine love relationship. Not only allowed, expected!

Moses. Elijah. David. Gideon. Jeremiah. All of them, in slightly different circumstances, expressed disappointment or challenge for the way God was allowing life to go. In every case (as with Job) the answer came from God (in His own time and way) without the slightest hint that He was offended by the frank challenge. Job’s friends were aghast that he would argue with God. See 15:13. Job’s God was pretty ok with it.

As I walk with the Great God, I must allow myself the same margin, require of myself the same honesty. I must accept the privilege of honest conversation. I trust Him. I really do. Even to death. My questions don’t challenge this firm foundation of genuine belief in Him and His goodness any more than Job’s words did.

If I am honest (and God knows I should be), there will be times that I am puzzled or disappointed. Times when my heart is filled with a question or complaint. Saying so is not a sin. It is what He expects from me.

May 18–Job 7-11

“I waste away; I will not live forever. Leave me alone, for my days are but a breath. What is man that You examine him, and that you are concerned about him?. . .Have I sinned? What have I done to You, O watcher of men?”(7:16-17, 20).

Human life is complicated.

Scripture says we are created with a UNIQUE role in the universe. We are material AND Spiritual creatures. Made of dust, but also animated (made alive) by the very breath of God. We have capacity for life in two worlds. Dual citizenship.

As a pastor, I occasionally encountered people who were ready to die. Divested of all material meaning or pleasure, they didn’t want to live any longer. “Pastor, why won’t God let me die?” they asked.

Job expressed similar feelings. MUST life be so complicated? When life gets painful, why can’t I just go on to eternity? Why must I be “watched”? Can’t I be insignificant to God, inconsequential in the scheme of things?

Like it or not, the answer is no. Made in His image, made for fellowship with Him, we remain important to God, significant in His plan, to the very end. We are creatures with an eternal soul.

Do you ever wish that life could be less complicated? I do, but the Lord never does.

Even when we are weary and just want to be left alone, the “Watcher of men” has to be dealt with. Our capacity for relationship with Him is who we are. Baked-in. Non-negotiable.

Friend, will you consider? God is watching over you, accomplishing things in you that you cannot understand or appreciate. Even in confusion and discomfort, He calls you to Himself in trust.

“What is man that You take thought of him, And the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, And You crown him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:4-5).

May 17–Job 3-6

“Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered, ‘If one ventures a word with you, will you become impatient? But who can refrain from speaking?”(4:1-2).

I have made this mistake. Often. God forgive me.

A person in pain is asking deep questions of faith, struggling to express the inner turmoil. Rather than offer support in silence, I feel the need to speak. To explain God.

It doesn’t go well. When I try to fix what only God can, the sufferer feels misunderstood. Judged. Criticized. More alone than before. Who can blame him? He now has no place to go, no person to whom he can express his honest questions and emotions. I have robbed him of something God wants him to have. See Psalm 13.

At the end of the story, God’s harshest criticism was not toward Job, but toward his talkative friends. Refusing to face the mystery of evil with required humility, they over-simplified God and became false witnesses. See 42:7.

The New Testament teaches me to, “rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.” It insists that I trust God and respectfully allow every honest question. “Call unto Me and I will answer,” is God’s offer, not mine.

Here is the truth that humbles me, (or should). There are times (many) when the wise path is to stand with those who suffer in silent sympathy and solidarity. No words. Just presence. Sometimes, faith and silence are the same thing.

“After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you”(1 Peter 5:10, italics mine).