We hope this week's devotional will encourage you in your spiritual walk. You are welcome to share this and include it in your church newsletters if you wish; we just ask that you please give credit to NTC and the author. Thank you!
Job 23:1-9, 16-17 (NRSV)
23 Then Job answered:
2 “Today also my complaint is bitter;
his hand is heavy despite my groaning.
3 Oh, that I knew where I might find him,
that I might come even to his dwelling!
4 I would lay my case before him,
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would learn what he would answer me,
and understand what he would say to me.
6 Would he contend with me in the greatness of his power?
No; but he would give heed to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him,
and I should be acquitted forever by my judge.
8 “If I go forward, he is not there;
or backward, I cannot perceive him;
9 on the left he hides, and I cannot behold him;
I turn to the right, but I cannot see him.
16 God has made my heart faint;
the Almighty has terrified me;
17 If only I could vanish in darkness,
and thick darkness would cover my face!
Devotional: The God who seems far away
Have you ever felt like Job? Nothing seems to be going right, and no matter what you do you can’t change anything. Your friends and family don’t understand you or support you. And God seems to have disappeared.
This lament from Job comes after he has suffered the loss of property and children, and constant ill-health. He has also endured the criticism of his “friends.” Eliphaz, who earlier had taken a more moderate view, has now (in chapter 22) accused Job of great wickedness – what he has suffered must be because of his own terrible sins.
Job longs to discuss his problems with God. But God seems so far away. This is a similar sentiment to that expressed by David in Psalm 22 (the psalm for this week):
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, from the words of my groaning? O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer; and by night, but find no rest.” (1-2).
When things go wrong, is it because of our sin? And has God deserted us when we don’t feel his presence? The answer to both questions is NO! Not all suffering is because of our sin – we live in a broken world.
There’s another psalm that relates to Job 23 but provides a different perspective. Unlike the “absent” God Job talks about, in Psalm 139 David talks about the “Inescapable” God. There seems to be a parallel between Job 23:8-9 and Psalm 139:7-12. Job can’t find God and the psalmist can’t get away from God. And to some extent they may both be correct. Even when we don’t sense God’s presence with us, God is still with us. And God’s love is steadfast and everlasting.
Prayer:
God of all creation, we confess that we don’t always believe that you are with us. Help us to believe when believing seems too hard. When times are tough, help us to hold on to your promise that you will never leave us or forsake us. Thank you that your love is never ending. Amen.
Rev. Pam Reed
Registrar