T H E O P H I L U S

Today’s Scripture Reading: Job 12-13

¹⁵Though he slay me, yet will I hope in him; I will surely defend my ways to his face. ¹⁶Indeed, this will turn out for my deliverance, for no godless person would dare come before him! – Job 13:15-16

The presumptuous and judging words of his friends have challenged the heart and energy of Job here in this chapter. Not only is there a shift in Job’s character and speech, but a fresh sense that Job is beginning to rise out of the wallowing of pain. He is choosing to not only speak against some of the false accusations and assumptions of his friends, but also now both defiantly and boldly willing to bring his plea before the Lord to bring his case of justice.

When we hear words that speak guilt and shame into our souls, how should we rise up from them? The problem is that most of the time we haven’t chosen to pick up from being knocked down. Job could easily have taken in what his friends falsely assumed of him (although their words were of good intention and of truth). But if we know the truth, if we also know the justice of God is always right and always faithful, then why would we not bring our petitions and requests to him – with even nagging persistence?

Philippians 4:6 so famously states to us:

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

STAND FOR WHAT IS TRULY GOOD.

If there is injustice in our lives, if there has obviously been something wrong done upon us that we should not deserve such pain nor suffering and we know it without a doubt then why do we not bring it in petition to God? We are more apt to band together to petition against tax hikes and low pay raises because we know it is right, and yet we somehow in many moments cannot trust God enough that he is the good father who hears all of our unsettling injustices that truly matter in our lives. To simply put it, the Lord desires for us to petition the troubles in our lives with utmost assurance that he is always, and eternally righteous and good. He is a God we can truly, wholly, completely put our hope in. Though the answers to our prayers are in many moments not what we might desire in our worldly measure, his answers are grander in the perfection of his plan for our lives.

STICK IT OUT, EVEN IF IT HURTS.

That is precisely the reason why Job states: “Because even if he killed me, I’d keep on hoping. I’d defend my innocence to the very end. Just wait, this is going to work out for the best—my salvation!”^[1]. If there is something we truly believe in and undoubtedly have confidence in, we would go out on a limb to stand by it. Job trusted and revered God enough that even if it should kill him to do so, he trusted in the Lord. He was certain that he was right before the eyes of God, and he did nothing unrighteous before the Lord. He was convinced of salvation no matter the pains of his life in the present time. Even more so, he was completely rest assured of God’s love and compassion for him – and that it would never change! Such a stubborn and persistent faith is the thing that most loudly pronounces Job’s faith, and it is also as such for us.

[1] Eugene Peterson, The Message

Image by: Folkert Gorter, http://images.superfamous.com