Read Job 13:1-19
This is monumental news. Job is about to take a bold step. He can’t contain his curiosity and burning need to understand why things happen to him. Inquiring minds want to know if there are times we fall short that we aren’t aware of. There are plenty of other little life failures that keep us on our knees.
Job finishes out his rant back to Zophar with this. What do you think Zophar did when he heard Job say, “I know as much as you do. You are no better than I am.” If that was indeed the case, and I have no reason to believe otherwise, than Zophar may have been fearing his own potential for receiving a curse. Could that fear have been playing into Zophar in any way with his remarks to Job?
Job needs answers from his friend and from God. Job must have been confounded by Zophar’s nonchalant attitude toward God. Job said, “Doesn’t his majesty terrify you? Doesn’t your fear of him overwhelm you?” After being treated so brutally by God, or so everyone thought, Job is still in awe of God’s majesty and expects everyone else should act the same. Wouldn’t that be nice to all share in worshipping the same, one and only God.
Job has made up his mind and is ready to take action. His response to Zophar is Job’s way of standing up for himself as he makes a bold move. Why was Job doing this? Because he was blameless and ready to confront God with some questions.
Did you hear the desperation in Job’s voice? “God might kill me, but I have no other hope. I am going to argue my case with him.” Job was wanting to give up his life to have that moment with God. He didn’t see any other way. After all the days he had been sitting in silence, he was still at a loss of figuring everything out.
Have you ever questioned God about something that was going on in your life? Some of us do it daily or more. Inquiring minds want to know what they want to know. I much prefer to have input from God when making life’s decisions. Sometimes I put too much pressure on myself to be sure I’m doing it God’s way. I suppose that comes from having made enough poor decisions that I know what the “foolish” way, or opposite to godly, feels like. Something I want to avoid.
Do you have something monumental happening in your life right now? It could be something really good, or something not really good at all. Monumental means life changing. Situations like this can drain us, distract us, and devour us if we’re not careful. Always be asking for Jesus to help you, to show you the way through the transition.
My most recent monumental deal is working with Mexican children, just as if God had planned it all along. Each day is hard. Each day is fantastic. When you know you’re doing something that pleases God, fantastic days just happen. Just as often though, a bad day or two is thrown in for good measure.
In your “monumental” situation, keep your eye on the prize. As believers, we always have Jesus as our focus.
Let’s pray. My Jesus, thank you for always being at my side and giving me access to come before you. Help me to keep my eyes focused only on you and what you would do in my place. I know I stumble every day, and for that, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness. If anything I do or say is not pleasing to you, I am sorry. Help me to do better tomorrow. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
