PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Job 15-17
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Give me the pledge you demand. Who else will put up security for me?” (Job 17:3)
Job does not know what is going on, why he is suffering.
He feels that this is not punishment, but that God is behind it.
God wants something from him, but he doesn’t know what.
He feels helpless to know what to do, and begs God for help.
No one can help me but God.
This ultimately is the point we all need to reach.
Like the alcoholic who finally realizes they cannot save themselves.
Life can get pretty messed up, where nothing makes sense.
Like Job we may feel at a total loss to find our way.
God steps in through Jesus to help us.
He provides what we need to make it to the other side.
He puts up the necessary pledge and security for us.
I don’t know how life will work itself out…
But I know who will work it all out in the end!
PRAYER
Lord, without you I can’t see my way forward. Even with you I can’t see it yet, but I know you are my security to the very end.
What do you know that we do not know?
What insights do you have that we do not have
Job’s friends don’t do what he suggested he would do if the situation was the opposite: But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.” Job knows God’s sovereignty and righteousness – like don’t rub it in – give me some comfort he says – encouragement – give me hope as I suffer. As Job says: “yet my hands have been free of violence and my prayer is pure. Even now my witness is in heaven; my advocate is on high. 20 My intercessor is my friend[a] as my eyes pour out tears to God;” His friends not comforting Job – but raising suspicion – that surely Job is hiding something that needs to be confessed. In spirt of whatever happens in life – I need to know and trust that God is my advocate – we have that in Jesus. Thanks be to God for his special gift of the comforter!
All alone in his troubles? Not really.
Job’s friends think they know the answer for his troubles, but they don’t. Neither does Job. But he knows his hope is in the Lord. He has a foundation upon the Rock and I need to do the same. Stay grounded. Secure. Trusting in His Word. He is always with me – Emmanuel.
God is in his temple,
the almighty Father;
round his footstool
let us gather;
him with adoration serve,
the Lord most holy,
who hath mercy on the lowly;
let us raise hymns of praise
for his great salvation:
God is in his temple!