Seeking the Answer to Suffering

What the Prophets Foretold
Jesus and the Davidic Covenant
From Suffering to Glory

Job 23:1-7

The Message

Job’s Defense

I’m Completely in the Dark

23 ^1-7 Job replied:

“I’m not letting up—I’m standing my ground.
    My complaint is legitimate.
God has no right to treat me like this—
    it isn’t fair!
If I knew where on earth to find him,
    I’d go straight to him.
I’d lay my case before him face-to-face,
    give him all my arguments firsthand.
I’d find out exactly what he’s thinking,
    discover what’s going on in his head.
Do you think he’d dismiss me or bully me?
    No, he’d take me seriously.
He’d see a straight-living man standing before him;
    my Judge would acquit me for good of all charges.

For Reflection

To suffer is our human condition.  Some blame God.  Doing so reduces God to the original born loser!  If there is one thing we should have understood from the death of Jesus it is that we suffer and God suffers with us and at times, God suffers at our own hands.

Job does not blame God.  Job complains. Job takes God on in confidence that Job's suffering is not a result of his separation from God.  Job, in all his suffering never loses site of the healing hand of God.

Pray

for all those who suffer.  Pray for those who in service to God give comfort to those who suffer.  Offer your complaints to God.  Address your feelings of despair.  Express your confidence in the Lord working things out.  In the midst of pain, thank God for all your blessings.