T H E O P H I L U S

Indeed, I know that this is true. But how can mere mortals prove their innocence before God? Though they wished to dispute with him, they could not answer him one time out of a thousand.

Job 9:2-3

As we continue to read the progress of Job’s character, his grief grows even more bitter and his heart even more hardened. This is a pattern that we can duly note. There is a sense that Job sees God as only the God of wrath and is unable to see or recognize him as the God of grace, the good shepherd and healer. But if we must give Job the benefit of the doubt and place ourselves in his shoes it could only have been difficult for him to see the benevolence of the Lord in such disheartening times.

For those of us reading through Job and attempting to make any spiritual sense of Job’s ranting, we must reflect on the words he chose. There is a constant recanting of good words, but twisted into accusations of evil. For example:

“Your hands shaped me and made me. Will you now turn and destroy me?” – Job 10:8

How many times have we said such words to God? Such as: “God you made me, but why didn’t you make me like that person?”, or “God if I was made in your image, why am I unattractive to others?”, “If you are truly my provider, why don’t you provide for me now?”

A heart filled of bitterness and sin does not judge soberly but rather seeks to dispel one’s own pain or guilt by our own strength. Sometimes we attempt to dispel them on others. In fact it is simpler for us to attribute someone else’s inconsistencies or faults so that we ourselves would feel justified of our own. Why do we do this? Because we desire and yearn for grace. We require a mercy that restores us and brings us back to a place of hope in the midst of desperate and damning circumstances.

We must be weary to remember the doctrine of Grace not just within our minds, but also deeply within our hearts. We must dearly recall that there is nothing we can do to earn his grace, nor to prove or justify our innocence since it is God who gives us his grace, makes us holy and brings freedom to our souls. This un-earnable, unachievable salvation and grace has in fact, been given to us freely through the costliness of his son’s blood for us. Even for Job, all of the burnt offerings he had brought to God ought to have been of the heart, and not of his proof and earning. A sign of recognizing God’s grace, even while one did not deserve it. This is precisely what God wants Job to know – what he wants also for us to know.

A heart that truly believes in the grace of God bears fruit of unrelenting gratitude which comes from deep within. What flows from our lips ought not to be contempt for our God, but of hope and yearning for his grace because we know for certain that it is everlasting. Therefore today, instead of blasting away and dismissing God’s authority, trust in him further. Yearn for his grace and his mercies, and be willing to walk obediently in his will. It is there that you will experience his providence and restoration.

Image by: Jordan McQueen (Instagram)