Job's Lament

             Ever had a time in your life when everything seemed to go wrong at once?  I’m sure we all have—probably more than once.  I remember one particularly difficult week, when I thought the walls were caving in.  I had just decided to sell my law practice without any idea what the future might hold, but doing my best to trust God’s leading.  That would have been difficult enough, but then came the storm. First, I had a misunderstanding with a friend.  Then, my nephew, who is like a son to me, was in the hospital with a serious infection.  Finally, the fire department ordered the immediate evacuation of my office due to a gas leak in our building.  At that point, I just knew the office was going to blow up.  How could things get any worse?

            I think that may have been what Job was feeling concerning all the terrible things that he had endured.  He became so shaken that he began to wish that he had never been born (Job 3:1 – 12).  Throughout that chapter, he continues his lament, which is defined as a passionate expression of grief or sorrow.  Then, in chapter 16, he begins to blame God for his pain.  “Surely, O God, you have worn me out; you have devastated my household” (Job 16:7 NIV84). As I read those words, I wonder whether Job was brave or stupid to confront God with such an accusation.  The beauty of it is that God allows us to bare our deepest thoughts, but then He brings us back to reality.  Job knew that he was innocent and that nothing he had done had caused his dismay.  However, he also knew where his hope came from.  As he ends that chapter, he says this, “Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high.  My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God; on behalf of a man he pleads with God as a man pleads for his friend” (Job 16:19 – 21 NIV84).

            There will be times of lament for each of us, but we have an Advocate in heaven who pleads our case for us. He is the “One who speaks to the Father in our defense—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One” (I John 2:1b NIV84).  I am so thankful that God allows us to passionately express our grief and sorrow to Him, and that He hears and responds.  The grief and sorrow may not disappear, but we can still find peace amid the suffering, just as Job did.

            As I struggled with my week of turmoil, I was fortunate to have close prayer warriors who went to our Father on my behalf.  My nephew began to recover quickly.  I was able to resolve the misunderstanding with my friend, and my office did not blow up! There were still questions concerning my future, but I learned a valuable lesson.  We can cry out to our Father and trust that He has everything under control.  It may not turn out the way that we envision, but it will be the best possible result from the One who knows what’s best for each of us.  The apostle, Paul, says it like this, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.  And the peace of God which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6, 7 NIV84).

Job 3:1 – 26 & 16:6 – 22

Philippians 4:6, 7

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