SCRIPTURE: Job 35
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
But it is wrong to say God doesn’t listen, to say the Almighty isn’t concerned. [Job 35:13]
Have you ever felt that God wasn’t listening to you?
Have you ever complained that God didn’t seem to care for you?
Well, according to Elihu, this is wrong and you ought to be ashamed of yourself.
How dare you speak against God, how dare you accuse God of not listening, not caring.
Then at three o’clock Jesus called out with a loud voice, “Eloi, Eloi, lema sabachthani?” which means “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?” [Mark 15:34]
The only problem is that for some reason, God allows for this kind of expression.
Look at the Psalms:
? O Lord, why do you stand so far away? Why do you hide when I am in trouble? [Psalms 10:1]
? O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever? How long will you look the other way? [Psalms 13:1]
? My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why are you so far away when I groan for help? Every day I call to you, my God, but you do not answer. Every night you hear my voice, but I find no relief. [Psalms 22:1-2].
This last Psalm is the source of Jesus’ prayer when He is dying on the cross.
I take comfort from this, knowing that the times when I really struggle and feel that God is not helping me, that I can be honest and God will not reject or punish me.
Other people (like Elihu) might take me to task, or accuse me of irreverence, but the Lord will not reject my honest struggle.
I recently shared some of my questions with another pastor, being honest about my uncertainties and struggles.
What struck me then – though I couldn’t put it into words then – was how like Elihu his response was to me.
Full of confidence in God, in God’s truth and how we need to be certain and clear about what is right and wrong.
I really felt like Job must have felt when Elihu challenged him.
I am not saying that my questions are right, or that my perspective is accurate.
But God allows for people to struggle, to have doubts and questions… so should we!
PRAYER:
Lord, help me not to be a Job comforter to those who struggle; thank You for allowing me to share my struggles with You openly! I know in the end You will always be right, but thank You that You are loving and merciful, and not just right!
The only thing I am mostly certain of is that God is for me. That He never stops loving me. That He is with me. And He is trustworthy.
I have questions now about things I thought were impossible to have questions about…
but it is ok.
God is for me and He knows.
Here we get advice once again from the friend – be happy with your lot. Don’t complain. Humble yourself before God. There is always tomorrow.
Christ ‘talked’ with His Father and shared His anguish with Him upon the hillside. So too Job and all of God’s people are able to share, talk, pray, unload their burdens with their heavenly Father. He is our God and we are His people. A cord of three strands is strong. Our friends need to listen and be there for us at all times as the Lord is at all times. As I talked with my earthly father, I too need to share all things with my heavenly Father. It is in His presence I live each day. Help me Lord in Your way.
Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
Not a brief glance I beg, a passing word;
But as Thou dwell’st with Thy disciples, Lord,
Familiar, condescending, patient, free.
Come not to sojourn, but abide with me.
Come not in terrors, as the King of kings,
But kind and good, with healing in Thy wings,
Tears for all woes, a heart for every plea—
Come, Friend of sinners, and thus bide with me.
Thou on my head in early youth didst smile;
And, though rebellious and perverse meanwhile,
Thou hast not left me, oft as I left Thee,
On to the close, O Lord, abide with me.
I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.
Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.