Read Job 9:1-35
Job keenly displays his humility and his fear of God. What a response! And by fear, it’s reverence and respect, just as much as it is terror that God’s punishment will strike again.
Job is still in a dark place. This time he speaks, Job asks the question, “Who Am I?” Once he is done speaking of God’s power and strength, Job turns inward. When we imagine that God, creator of the universe, cares for us, we can find ourselves asking the same question. How inadequate we can often feel, unworthy to receive such grace and mercy.
For Job, he says, “I am innocent.” Yes, Job, that is a true statement. If only we could scream through the pages of history and tell Job that it’s not his fault. He did nothing wrong to bring on all this misery. In fact, so far he is doing everything right, and it’s confounding Satan.
Job has a hard time seeing the upright, successful man he was only a short time ago. It’s like he has shriveled up a bit and is afraid to live. Job said he could pretend and put on a happy face, if that would make his friends feel better. No matter what, he would still remember the pain inside. How many of us can relate to times we’ve hidden our own pain and suffering from the watchful eyes of the community?
Job’s pain comes not only from his great loss but from the belief that God is punishing him for something. Job is confident he has done something to offend God. If only he knew what it was he could change it. You can’t change what you don’t know needs fixed. Since he can’t change it, Job is simply waiting for the other shoe to drop bringing more punishment and pain.
Job acknowledges that God is not a mortal like him. God’s justice and reasoning are on an entirely different level than we could ever comprehend. I liked how Job suggested we should have a mediator between us and God. Good idea, Job.
Someday Jesus will come and be that mediator, our high priest forever. Jesus gives us access to the Father. Together with the Holy Spirit guiding the way, our relationship with God will be so much better. Why is it we sometimes take our communication with God for granted?
Maybe we should be asking God the question “Who Am I?” more to see what he says. God knows perfectly well who he designed us to be. Wouldn’t he be the best one to ask for an explanation? Job wanted answers, too.
Job wanted to talk to God but felt too drained. Job’s argument for a mediator was in part, “Then I could speak to him without fear, but I cannot do that in my own strength.” Job recognized his own weakness. The vastness of God can be intimidating, especially when you’re down and out.
Take some time today to sit quietly in God’s presence and explore with him who you are in Christ. How are you wired to share your faith with others to further the kingdom? God has given us his word to reflect on, and he’ll be answering our prayers, too. We just need to listen.
Let’s pray. Father, I thank you for how you have all things securely in your hands. Thank you for helping me overcome my feelings of inadequacy. I know I am not perfect, but in my own weakness, I am made strong by you. May others recognize your strength and presence in my life. May my example be helpful for those who don’t yet know you to see what it’s like to be yours. May I stay humble as you use me to advance your kingdom. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
