Year One, March 7

For I the LORD Do Not Change1

Our space will not allow us to include much of this wonderful book of Job, but the following is an example of the patriarch’s expressions of distress.

  

Job 23

1Then Job answered and said:

2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;

my hand is heavy on account of my groaning.”

Most people cry before they are hurt, or more than they are hurt; but this was not Job’s case. He had good reason for every groan and when he groaned most he fell short of expressing what he really felt.

3 “Oh, that I knew where I might find him,

that I might come even to his seat!”

Even at his very lowest point this good man knows his true safety is in the Lord. Sinners turn from God in anger. The saints fly to him with hope. Yet sometimes the Lord is a God who hides himself. When he does this, he has wise results to accomplish. He will continue it no longer than is absolutely necessary.

4 “I would lay my case before him

and fill my mouth with arguments.

5 I would know what he would answer me

and understand what he would say to me.”

Job wished to have the question that his three friends had raised given a fair hearing in the very highest court. He felt that he could freely bring his case before such a righteous judge. It is only the pure in heart who can invite such a thorough investigation. Those who know that they are guiltless through Jesus’ blood are not afraid to appear in the courts of heaven.

6 “Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?

No; he would pay attention to me.”

Innocence does not fear power, but like Una, rides on the lion.2 The Lord never crushes a person because they are down. Rather, he delights to lift up those who have been cast down.

7 “There an upright man could argue with him,

and I would be acquitted forever by my judge.

8 “Behold, I go forward, but he is not there,

and backward, but I do not perceive him;

9 on the left hand when he is working, I do not behold him;

he turns to the right hand, but I do not see him.

10 But he knows the way that I take;

when he has tried me, I shall come out as gold.”

He comforts himself with the assurance that if he could not find the Lord, and speak in his own defense, yet the case was already known to him, and would in due time be decided in his favor. His faith kept him wonderfully secure during his heavy trial; like a sure anchor in a terribly raging storm.

11 “My foot has held fast to his steps;

I have kept his way and have not turned aside.

12 I have not departed from the commandment of his lips;

I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my portion of food.”

Job again answers the accusations of his three unfriendly friends. He strongly declares that he is innocent of their charges. He rejects the idea that he is suffering for some secret sin.

13 “But he is unchangeable, and who can turn him back?

What he desires, that he does.

14 For he will complete what he appoints for me,

and many such things are in his mind.”

Job explains his trials by pointing out that God’s ways are both unchanging and unknowable. He suggests that many more troubles might yet visit him; and for which he might also be unable to find a reason.

15 “Therefore I am terrified at his presence;

when I consider, I am in dread of him.”

Great suffering could not kill his faith, but it reduced his joy. He understood that an absolute God could do whatever he wanted. It is no wonder that he trembled at this thought. Only when we see Jesus do we see that God is love.

16 “God has made my heart faint;

the Almighty has terrified me;

17 yet I am not silenced because of the darkness,

nor because thick darkness covers my face.”

He wished he could have died before these sufferings came on him, but all such wishes have no result. We cannot change what has already happened. Therefore, let us by faith move forward.

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¹ Malachi 3:6

² A reference to an English fairy tale written in the 1590’s by Edmund Spenser. Lady Una is searching for her lost knight when a lion appears, ready to devour her. Una shows no fear, but only remorse for her lost knight. The lion takes pity on Una and allows her to ride on his back as they search together for the lost Knight of the Red Cross.