Job 21:22-24 - "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? One man dies in full vigor,
completely secure and at ease, his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow. Another
man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything
good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.
Job was struggling with more than his physical pain and
empty spirit. He had begun to look around him and see the many wicked people
around him who were living better than him.
He was confused that God would allow him to suffer in his righteousness…and
other people he had heard denounce God completely prosper. He was jealous…allowing the familiar pity
party to surface once more.
I am reminded of David…who struggled with the same feelings
in Psalms 73. He had also let himself
have one huge pity party as he suffered and ran from Saul. He watched Saul
prosper and go unpunished for trying to kill him. He did not understand why God would anoint him
king as a youth…then allow Saul to treat him so poorly. His confusion almost
got the best of him too.
Even though Job and David were confused…they never let go of
God’s hand. They invited him to their
pity parties…and constantly asked him to explain his reasons for their
suffering. They called out to God for help in understanding….they sought his
comfort from their pain. They realized
that God was in control…his wisdom would give them an answer in his time. Job
asked the wise question in Job21:22…. “Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since
he judges even the highest?” just like David realized the only way to survive
his pain was to hold on to God’s hand through his season of pain. He said in
Psalms 73:26-28… “My flesh and my heart may
fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my
portion forever. Those who are far from
you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I
have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.”
Job and David must have sensed in their heart…what we are
all told in revelation will happen to all the wicked who are permitted to
prosper here on Earth…that mock God…and follow satan’s evil ways. Like the rich
man and Lazarus in Luke 16….God will pull the saved to his side in Heaven for
all eternity…and lock the wicked away in eternal torment. Revelation 20:11-15 says… “ Then I saw a
great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled from his
presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the
book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded
in the books. The sea gave up the dead
that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and
each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake
of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the
book of life, he was Then
I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. Earth and sky fled
from his presence, and there was no place for them. And I saw the dead, great and small, standing
before the throne, and books were opened. Another book was opened, which is the
book of life. The dead were judged according to what they had done as recorded
in the books. The sea gave up the dead
that were in it, and death and Hades gave up the dead that were in them, and
each person was judged according to what he had done. Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake
of fire. The lake of fire is the second death. If anyone's name was not found written in the
book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Father…thank you for reminding me once again that you are in
control…even when my pity parties take over…and I see no purpose for the pain
you have allowed in my life. Help me to
draw so close to you…that I invite you to all the pity parties satan tricks me
into having….so you can help me find a way to end it…and begin to see that my
pain has purpose. Help me to hold tight
to your hand and wait for your will to be revealed. Help me to study and pray for you to
strengthen me in the midst of my storms…so you can get me to the other side….and
the blessings that await me there. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment