Who Am I?

Read Job 8-10
 
Job 9:14-17, 21 “So who am I, that I should try to answer God or even reason with him? 15 Even if I were right, I would have no defense. I could only plead for mercy.16 And even if I summoned him, and he responded, I’m not sure he would listen to me. 17 For he attacks me with a storm and repeatedly wounds me without cause… 21 I am innocent, but it makes no difference to me – I despise my life.”
 
“IT’s not fair!” is a common attack against authority. We reject rules or circumstances that, in our view, favor others and hurt us. Job seemed to have good reason to feel unfairly afflicted. You might agree.
   Job’s deep despair saw no hope in God’s care. “What’s the point?” Job wondered. Was he even seeing God as a bully, interested only in showing his strength to control Job’s life? Instead of confessing, “If God is for (me), who can be against (me)?” (from Romans 8:31) Job had the hopeless view, “If God is against me, who can be for me?” The weary Job despised himself! Are we at risk for the same fate?
   We can be if we, like Job, look too long into the darkness. Do you often see life through suffering and trouble? A common phrase spoken during Christian meetings and sermons since a virus has plagued the world is “these uncertain, dark times”. We treat this pandemic as if it’s the worst thing the world has ever seen. Do we forget all the terrible things recorded in Scripture? Do we dismiss the tragic issues of generations past? Yes, there is darkness in the world. But God continually instructs us to turn from the darkness to see God’s living hope.  
   Although Job’s friend Zophar didn’t fully understand Job’s suffering, he still gave some very good advice to his downcast friend: Job 11:13 “If only you would prepare your heart and lift up your hands to him in prayer! 14 Get rid of your sins, and leave all iniquity behind you. 15 Then your face will brighten with innocence. You will be strong and free of fear. 16 You will forget your misery; it will be like water flowing away. 17 Your life will be brighter than the noonday. Even darkness will be as bright as morning. 18 Having hope will give you courage. You will be protected and will rest in safety.”
   In truth, the days are always dark and troublesome as evil rears its ugly head. God allows Satan to do his evil, so the LORD will be glorified in our faith.
   In faith, then, know your Creator, Redeemer, Restorer, God has come in person to turn your eyes upward to heaven. Look up! Know and rejoice God is not fair! He’s so unfair, he saved us, his enemies, out of our sins. He unfairly forgives our constant evil. He is gracious and good to reach down and bring us eternally into his glorious light. Be of faith, and you will lie down unafraid, and many will look to you for help. (Job 11:19)
   Who ae you? In Jesus you are all children of the light and of the day; we don’t belong to darkness and night. (1 Thessalonians 5:5)